The Players Scourge
That which commonly occasions an apparent violation of all the ten Commandments, must needs be sinful and utterly unlawful unto Christians, intolerable in any well-ordered Common-weal: No Christian can deny it.
But this do Stage-plays: witness the premises. See pag. 231.232. before.
Therefore they must needs be sinful and utterly unlawful unto Christians • intolerable in any well-ordered Common-weal.
SCENA DECIMA-NONA.
[ 19] THe 19. fruit of Stage-plays is this; that they draw down God's fearful judgments both upon their Composers, Actors, Spectators, and those Republics that tolerate or approve them • as these ensuing examples evidence. It is storied of AEschylus, (the first inventor of Tragedies, as Horace, Quintilian, Tertullian, and others write:) that his brains were dashed out with the fall of a Torteis, which an Eagle soaring over him let fall upon his bald-pate, while he was sitting meditating on his Plays in the open air ; a sudden unparalleled & right tragical judgment, upon the very first inventor of tragick Interludes. Euripides, the famous Greek Tragedian, as he was returning in the night time from Archelaus his Palace, where he supped, to his own lodging, was torn in pieces by Dogs, (some write, by women) set on, as was supposed, by Arridaeus a Poet, who maligned him: A fearful death: Sophocles, the very Prince of tragicke Poets, being pronounced victor by one casting voice in a poetical combat between him and others; died suddenly on the Stage of overmuch joy ; his victory proving no other but his own fatal Tragaedy: the like we read of Philippides another famous Greek Comedian, who died suddenly in the selfsame manner, upon the same occasion. Theodectes a Play-poet, was smitten of God with blindness for inserting some passages of the Old Testament into one of his Tragedies. Menander, an ancient Greek Comedian, & insanus mulierum amator, as Soudas stiles him, was suddenly drowned, whiles he was swimming in the Pyraeean Haven. Terence the eminentest Latin Comedian, was drowned and swallowed up of the Sea, about the 35. year of his age, as he was returning out of Greece with 108. of Menand • rs Comedies which he had translated. Plautus, an elegant comical Latin Poet, when as he had scraped together a great mass of money by his Stage-plays, lost all of it by merchandise; and then returned back to Rome, he was enforced to grind at a Bakers Mill to get his living, and so died miserably. Antiphanes the composer of 355. Comedies, died suddenly, being casually struck with a Peare. Eupolis the Poet, for inveighing against A • cibiades in his Comedy, called Baptis, was apprehended by him, and then drowned in the Sea: Such were the sudden and untimely ends of all these ancient Play-poets, which should serve as a caveat to our moderne (of which some have likewise come to desperate ends) to deter them from their ungodly profession. But I pass from these to Stage-plays: And here I find Theodoret relating a notable Story of a common Actor; who coming to play a part upon the Theater, in a vestment of cloth of gold, given by Constantine the Emperor to Macarius Bishop of Jerusalem, to wear at times of baptism, (which vestment this Player had purchased of Cyril who succeeded Macarius;) he fell down suddenly on the Stage as he was acting in it, and died. I read likewise in Pliny, of one M. Ofilius Hilarus, an eminent Actor of Comedies, that after he had acted his part with great applause upon his birth-day, and was vaunting and discoursing of this his acting at supper, he fell down suddenly dead at the table, whiles he was thus boasting and looking on that vizard and person which he had then sustained. William of Malmesbury a grave English Historian, upon the concurrent testimonies of Pope Leo, Petrus Damianus, and Aquitanicus, relates this memorable History; That a certain Stage-player who got his living by acting, lodging about the year of our Lord. 1012. in the house of two old women who were Witches, situated by the high-way near to Rome, was by their Sorceries metamorphosed into the shape of an Ass; and being thus transformed, he became so tractable that (like another Banks his dancing Horse, or the dancing Horses of the Sybarites and Cardians ) he would readily turn and move which way soever these Witches commanded him; which being bruited abroad he became very gainful to these his Hoastesses, the people flocking by troops from all places near adjoining, to behold the rare feats of this Mimicall Ass, who struck the Spectators with great admiration of his strange gestures. The fame of this Asses rare qualities being thus bruited abroad, induced a rich man who dwelt nigh to purchase this Ass at a great price of these two Witches; who informed their Chapman, that if he would have his Ass to practice his histrionical tricks at all times, he must be sure to keep him from water; which he did for a long space, exhilarating both himself and his guests with this playing Ass: who after a while being not so strictly looked to as at first • brake loose at last, and running to a pond of water that was next, bathed and tumbled himself therein for a while, till at length he came to his human shape. The Ass-keeper in the mean time missing the Ass, runs forth to seek him, and meeting him in his human form, inquires of him whether he saw the Ass? to which he replied, that he was the Ass, and with all related to him the whole Story of this his metamorphosis: the Ass-keeper wondering at it reports it to his Master; and he declares it to Pope Leo; who conventing the two old women for it, they both acknowledged the premises to be true • which I here submit to the Readers faith. If this be but an Ovid's Metamorphosis, or an Apuleius his Golden Ass ; we may laugh at the conceit, and so pass it by: but if it be a truth, as the Historian confidently affirms it, we may deem it a just judgment of God upon this Actor, who for his acting of other men's parts in jest, was thus enforced to play the Asses part in earnest. Ludovicus Vives reports from men of credit, that in a certain City of Brabant, where they used to make annual Plays to their Saints, upon the day that their great Church was founded, as they do in other places of that Country; some taking then upon them the vizars and persons of Saints, others of Devils for to act these Plays; o • e of these Actors who played the Devils part being enamored with a Girle which he espied at the Play, went dancing to his house, and there taking his wife as he was in his Players robes and vizard, he cast her upon a bed, saying, that he would beget a Devil of her; and so he lay with her: his wife upon this conceived, and the infant which she brought forth, as soon as ever it was borne, began to dance up and down, being shaped as men use to paint the Devil. Loe the justice of God upon this person, that he who acted the Devils part should thus beget a Devil.
Of God's judgments upon Play-haunters, we have sundry precedents, worthy our most serious observation; some of particular persons only, others of whole multitudes together. For God's judgments on particular persons only. We read of Philip King of Macedonia, Father to Alexander the Great; that as he delighted much in Stage-plays, so he was slain by Pausanias as he was sitting in the Theater at a Play ; The like we find recorded of Gaius Caligula; who being much devoted to Stage-plays, (which he would sometimes act himself in woman's apparel to his inexpiable shame) was murdered by Cherea, whiles he was beholding the Noble-men's Children which he sent for out of Asia, acting a Play upon the Stage. A just judgment of God upon these two dissolute Princes, who made these wicked Plays their chief delight. It is storied of Herod Agrippa, that in the third year of his Lieutenantship he went to Cesarea Stratonis where he published Spectacles and Stage-plays in the honor of Caesar, and ordained a solemn Feast-day for his prosperous affairs, unto which all the chief men of worth and great Officers of that Province resorted: on the second day of these Plays and Spectacles, he came to the Theater in a silver robe wonderfully wrought, which by the reflection of the Sunbeames ye • lded so gorgeous a glistering to the eye, that the shining thereof seemed terrible and intolerable to the beholders; whereupon some flatterers (it is likeliest that some Players or Play-poets were the chief of them) deifying him as a God, and he rebuking them not; a little after looking about him, he beheld an Angel, hanging over his head, who smote him with an extreme pain in his bowels whiles he was thus sitting in the Theater, so that he was carried desperately sick to his Palace, where being tormented for the space of five days with bitter gnawing of his bowels, he ended his life most miserably, being eaten up of worms. Which divine judgment, though it miraculously seised on him for his ambition, in that he rebuked not these • latterers, and gave not God the glory ; yet since this Tyrant, ( who had built a Theater and Amphitheater in Jerusalem after the Roman manner, to advance Idolatry and Paganism, and suppress Religion; ) was thus smitten by God's Angel in the Theater it self, where he sat beholding these Plays and Spectacles which he had then provided for Caesar's honor, and the people's recreation, whose deifying acclamations were the cause of this his fearful death; and since these Stage-plays were the chief occasion of drawing both himself and the people into the Theater; we may justly behold him as a • ad fatal Spectacle of God's avenging judgment, as well for his instituting and beholding Stage-plays, and erecting public Theaters, as for his proud ambition. Not to speak of Herod the great, whom the Jews conspired to murder in the Theater which he had built at Jerusalem whiles he was beholding Stage-plays, for that he had brought in Stage-plays into Jerusalem contrary to Moses Law and the discipline of the Jewish Nation. Nor yet to mention the Emperor Nero, whose acting and beholding of Plays was one chief occasion that stirred up Subrius Flavius, with others, to conspire his death. Herodian informs us, that Commodus his excessive delight in Actors, Gladiators, Plays and Interludes, and his unworthy coming on the Stage in person to play the Actor and Gladiator before the people, ( from which base shameful act his friends, together with Martia his best beloved Concubine, did earnestly dissuade him, ne Romanum Imperium contumelia a • ticeret, &c.) was the original ground of his untimely death; he being poisoned by his Martia, whom he resolved to murder, for this her good advice: and Trebellius Pollicarpus records, that Gallienus the Emperor, was murdered by Martianus, Heraclianus, and Claudius, for this very cause, lest by his lewd example in frequenting Stage-plays, and favoring Stage-players, with which he had filled his Palace, he should bring both himself and the Republic unto utter ruin: These several Kings and Emperors Stage-delights being thus the just oecasions of their untimely deaths. A sufficient Item for all Christian Princes forever to abandon Plays and Actors as fatal and pernicious evils both to their own persons, and their subjects too. To pass from Kings and Emperors to some of meaner quality, Tertullian, a Father of good credit among Scholars, informs us; That a certain Christian woman in his time going to a Play-house to see a Stage-play, returned thence possessed with a Devil (as too too many now a days do; at leastwise in a spiritual sense,) which unclean spirit being afterwards rebuked in an exorcism, that he durst assaul • a Christian woman; replied, that he had done constantly and most justly • in meo enim eam inveni, for I have found her in my own Jurisdiction. If therefore you will neither believe the forequoted Fathers and Authors, that the Play-house is the Devils Chapel ; yet now believe the very Devil himself who claims it for his own, together with all such persons who frequent it. The same Father relates; that another Christian woman who went to see a Tragedy, had the very same night a linen sheet presented to her in a dream; the Tragedian himself being likewise named to her, with an exprobration for this act of hers; after which she lived not above five days: To which two examples (writes he) I might add some fearful precedents of others, who by communicating with the Devil at Stage-plays, have fallen quite away from God. A dreadful Apostasy and judgment indeed. To these two former precedents, I shall annex the parallel example of a late English Gentlewoman of good rank; who daily bestowing the expense of her best hours upon the Stage, and at last falling into a dangerous sickness of which she died, her friends in her extremi • y sent for a Minister to comfort, counsel, and prepare her for her end, who coming to instruct her, and advising her to repent, and call upon God for mercy, she made him no reply at all; but cried out Hieronimo, Hieronimo; O let me see Hieronimo acted; (calling out for a Play, instead of crying unto God for mercy,) and so closed her dying eyes. O tragical, O fearful death! answerable to her former wicked life? Not to relate the various tragical ends of many, who in my remembrance at London, have been slain in Play-houses, or upon quarrels there commenced: Nor yet to recite the sudden fearful burning even to the ground, both of the Globe and Fortune Play-houses, no man perceiving how these fires came: together with the visible apparition of th • Devil on the Stage at the Belsavage Play-house, in Queen Elizabeth's days, (to the great amazement both of the Actors and Spectators) whiles they were there profanely playing the History of Faustus (the truth of which I have heard from many now alive, who well remember it,) there being some distracted with that fearful sight ; I shall confine myself only to such printed examples of God's judgments upon many Players and Play-haunters together, which I find scattered here and there in sundry Authors. To begin first at home. I read in Hollingshead, that in the eighth year of Queen Elizabeth's Rain, there were three Scholars at Oxford slain outright, and divers others hurt and mained, with the unexpected fall of a wall, whiles • hey were beholding a Stage-play: About the year 1582. many people being assembled together at the Theaters in London to see the bawdy Interludes and other fooleries there practiced, God caused the earth on a sudden mightily to shake and tremble, as though all would have fallen to the ground: where at the people sore amazed, many of them leapt down from the top of the Turrets, Pinnacles and Towers, where they stood, to the ground, whereby some had their legs broken, some their arms, some their backs, some were hurt one where • some another where, and many sore crushed and bruised; but not any but they went away sore afraid, & wounded in conscience. And yet (writes my Author) can neither the one nor the other, fray men from these devilish exercises, until the Lord cōsum them all in his wrath: The Lord of his mercy open the eyes of the Magistrates to pluck down these places of abuse that God may be honored, and their consciences discharged. Upon the 13. of January, Anno 1583. being the Lord's-day, an infinite number of people, men, women, and children, resorted unto Paris Garden to see Bear-baiting, Plays, and other pastimes, and being altogether mounted aloft upon their Scaffolds and Galleries, and in the midst of all their jollity and pastime, all the whole building (not one stick so much as standing) fell down miraculously to the ground with much horror and confusion: In the fall of it five men and two women were slain outright, and above one hundred and fifty persons more, sore wounded & bruised, whereof many died shortly after; some of them having their brains dashed out, some their heads all to quasht, some their legs broken, some their arms, some their backs, someone hurt, some another; there being nothing heard there but woeful shreekes and cries which did even pierce the skies; children bewailing there the death and hurts of their Parents, Parents of their Children; Wives of their Husbands, and Husbands of their Wives; so that every way from four of the clock in the afternoon till nine at night, especially over Londonbridge, many were carried in chairs, and led betwixt their friends, and so brought home to their houses with sorrowful heavy hearts, like lame Cripples. A just, though terrible judgment of God upon these Play-haunters and profaners of his holy day: the original relator of which, doth thus conclude: And therefore for a conclusion, I beseech all Magistrates by the mercies of God in Jesus Christ, that by this occasion and example, they take good heed to look to the people committed to their charge, that they take order, especially on the Sabbath days, that no Citizen or Citizens servants have liberty to repair to any of those abused places, and that they keep their straggling wantons in, that they may be better occupied. And as they have with good commendation so far prevailed, that upon Sabbath days these Heathenish Interludes and Plays are banished, so it will please them to follow the matter still, that they may be utterly rid and taken away, For surely it is to be feared, besides the destruction of body and soul that many are brought unto by frequenting the Theater and Curtin • that one day these places will likewise be cast down by God himself, and draw with them an huge heap of such contemners and profane persons to be killed and spoiled in their bodies. Neither was he a false prophet altogether. For in the year of our Lord, 1607. at a Town in Bedford-shire called Risley, the fl • ore of a chamber wherein many were gathered together to see a Stage-play on the Sabbath day, fell down; by means whereof divers were sore hurt, and some killed. If these domestic examples, together with that of Thales the Philosopher, who was smothered and pressed to death at a Play will not move us; let us cast our eyes upon some foreign Tragedies of this nature. I read in Munster his Cosmography, that about the year of our Lord, 1380. Lodovicke a Marquis of Nisina, a man not very religious, was made Arch-bishop of Magdeburge; who thereupon invited many Gentlemen, and others, together with their Wives and Daughters into a Town called Calven, to feast and make merry with him; who came accordingly: The Bishop for their better entertainment provided the Town-hall for them to dance in (they being much addicted to dancing and singing) and to act other vanities: and whiles they were busily turning, dancing, and playing, and everyone danced merrily at the hands of their Ladies, the house being oppressed with the great weight, began to sink, giving a great crack before. The Arch-bishop taking the Lady who stood next him by the hand, hastened to go down the stairs with the first: and as soon as he begun to go down, the stony stairs being loose before fell down, and miserably crushed to death the Arch-bishop and his consort, with divers others. It is storied by Froyssart in his Chronicle, and by some others since, that in the Rain of Charles the sixth, in the year of our Lord; 1392. at a marriage made in the Kings Court at the hostle of Saint Paul's in Paris, between Sir Yvan of Foiz, Bastard Son to the Earl of Foiz, and one of the Queen of Erance her Gentlewomen, the Tuesday before Candlemas day: A Squire of Normandy called Hogrymen of Gensay, provided for a Play or Mummery against night • for which purpose he had devised 6. Coates made of Linnen cloth covered with Pitch, and thereon cloth and flax like hair, and had them ready in a Chamber: The King himself put on one of these Coates; the Earl of Iovy, a young lusty Knight, another; Sir Charles of Poytiers, the third; Sir Yvan of Foiz another; the Son of the Lord Lanthorillet had on the fifth, and the Squire himself put on the sixth. Being thus appareled and sowed fast on these Coates, which made them soon like wild wode-houses; the King upon the advice of Sir Yvan of Foiz, commanded an Usher of his Chamber to enjoin all the Torch-bearers in the Hall where the Ladies were dancing to stand close to the wall, and not to come near the wode-houses for fear of setting them on fire, which he did accordingly. Soone after the Duke of Orleans, who knew nothing of the Mummery or the Kings command, entered into the Hall with four Knights and six Torches, to behold the dancing, and begun himself to dance. Therewith the King and the five other Masquers came in, in these their disguises, five of them being fastened one to the other, the King only being loose, who went before and led the device. When they entered the Hall, everyone took so great heed to them that they forgot the Torches. The King departing from his company went to the Ladies to sport with them, as youth required, and came to the Dutches of Berry who took hold of him to know what he was, but he would not show his name. The Duke of Orleans running to the other five to d • scover who they were, put one of the Torches his servants held so near the flax, that he set one of the Coates on fire, and so each of them set fire on the other, so that they were all in a bright flame; the fire taking hold of the living Coates & their shirts began to scorch their bodies so that they began to bren and to cry out for help. The fire was so great that none durst come near them, and those that did, brent their hands by reason of the heat of the pitch. One of them called Manthorillet fled into the Botry and cast himself into a vessel of water where they rynsed pots, and so saved his life by quenching the fire, but yet he was sore hurt. The Countess o • Berry with her long loose Gowne covered the King and so saved him from the fire: two of the other were burnt to death in the place: the Bastard of Foiz and the Earl of Iovy were carried to their lodgings, and there died within two days after in great pain and misery. Thus was this Comedy turned into a doleful Tragedy. The King though he escaped was much distracted in mind (and his servants distressed with grief) at this unhappy accident, so that he could not sleep quiet that night. The next day these news being spread abroad in the City, and every man marveling at it: some said, how God had sent that token for an ensample, and that it was wisdom for the King to regard it, and to withdraw himself from such young idle wantonness • which he had used overmuch being a King. All Lord's and Ladies thorough the Realm of France and elsewhere, that heard of this chance had great marvai • e thereof. Pope Boniface being at Rome with his Cardinals rejoiced at it, and said, that it was a token sent from God to to the Realm of France, which had taken part against him. Sure I am it was a just judgment of God, to teach Kings and great men, and not to be Actors or Spectators of vanity, but wholly to lay aside such foolish Masques and Interludes. At Lions in France, in the month of August, in the year 1607. whiles the Jesuits were acting a profane Play of Christ's coming to Judgment at the last day, to the disgrace of true Religion, the Lord from Heaven continued thunder and lightnings for two hours space together, slew twelve of the Actors and Spectators presently, and amazed all the rest with great terror and fear. To pass from France to Rome, Suetonius records, that in Julius Caesar his time, there resorted such a multitude of people to Rome to behold his Stage-plays and Spectacles, that most of the strangers were forced to lodge in the Villages adjoining in Tents: there was ofttimes very many people trod and crushed to death at these Plays by reason of the multitude, and among them two Senators: so tragical and fatal were these Interludes. Dion Cassius records; that in Pompey his time. a Theater in Rome built for the acting of Syrian Interludes was overturned with a sudden tempest, to the death and destruction of many persons. To pass by the memorable example of God's avenging Justice upon the Philistines and their Lord's, many thousands of them being crushed to death with the fall of their Dagons Temple, which Samson pulled down upon their heads whiles they were there feasting, dancing, and acting Plays before their Idol Dagon, and beholding Samson playing, dancing, and making sport before them like a Clowne in a Play, they calling him out of the prison to that purpose. From whence Arias Montanus well observes, that it was the custom of the Philistines and other Idolaters, to court their Idols with dances and Stage-plays on their sol • mne Festivals; their temples being built in such a manner, that people might conveniently behold the dances and Stage-plays that were acted in them: and thereupon he justly taxeth Christian Princes, for exhibiting Plays and such like impure, unchristian spectacles to the people, and tolerating them in their Kingdoms, they being unsuitable and pernicious unto Christian manners, and altogether unlawful unto Christians as originally consecrated unto Idols; the very acting and beholding of them being odious unto God, as this his judgment on the Philistines proves. Cornelius Tacitus, and Paulus Orosius, (and out of them sundry others ) relate; that about the eighth year of Tiberius his Rain, there were by the just judgment of God, at least fifty thousand persons slain and pressed to death at once, with the fall of a Theater at Fidena in Italy, (which Theater was built by one Atilius, ) whiles they were there beholding Sword-plays, and such like Theatricall Interludes ; the dolefulnesse of which bloody Tragedy and judgment (seconded with a devouring fire, which almost burnt up that City) is at large described by Tacitus. Johannes Aventinus in his excellent Annals, hath registered two memorable Examples for our present purpose. The first of them happened at Pisonium, a City of Bavaria; about the year of our Lord, 1200. where divers people assembling together from all quarters to behold Interludes and Cirque-plays, above three hundred of them were there flame outright with thunder and hail from Heaven: The latter of them fell out in Rome it self upon the 15. day of October, in the year of our Lord 1450 when Pope Nicholas the first, solemnized his famous Iubily with secular Plays: at which time, five hundred and fifty persons coming to Rome to see these secular Interludes, which this Pope brought in contrary to the decrees of the Council of Constance, were drowned & washed to death in the River Tiber, the Bridge upon which they were being overturned with the waters, To these I shall add one Tragicall Story more which Gregory Nyssen, in the life of Gregory the worker of miracles, hath registered to posterity. The Citizens of Cesarea, and well might all the people of that Province accustomed to meet together at Cesarea once a year, upon a public solemn Festival which they dedicated to a certain Devil-Idol, which that Country worshipped; at which feast they always celebrated some public Stage-plays to the honor of this their Idol, and to delight the people: It fortuned that the whole Country and City assembled thus together after their wonted manner, when Saint Gregory was newly made Minister of that City: and being thus assembled they presently flocked to the Theater; which being filled with those who first hasted thither, those who came after climbed up by troops upon the Scaffolds that were built about it. At last the crowd of the people; who were very desirous to behold these Interludes, grew so great, that they left no room at all upon the Stage, either for the Players or Musicians to act their parts; whereupon the whole multitude cried out to that Devil whose festival they then solemnized, with one united voice; O Jupiter make us room; Which Saint Gregory over-hearing, he presently sends one who stood by to the Theater, to tell the people that that they should forth-with have more room and ease then they desired. No sooner was this message delivered to them, l • ke a doleful sentence passed against them, but a devouring pestilence suddenly seised upon that great assembly, which were there sporting and beholding Plays, and presently a lamentation was mingled with their dancing, in so much that their pleasures were turned into sorrows and calamities; and funeral doleful Elegies one upon another were heard thorowo • t the City instead of acclamations and music: For as soon this pestilent disease had seised upon men, opinion and conceit did propagate it the faster, it consuming whole houses at once, like a fire: in so much that flying from their houses to their Temples for succor and recovery, their very temples were even filled up with the carcases of such who there fell down dead of this disease: whose extremity was such, that all the Cisterns, Fountaines and pits of water near the City were covered with the dead corps of such who resorted to them for to quench their thirst; in so much that many went voluntarily to their graves to die there, because the living were not sufficient to bury the dead. Neither did this pestilence surprise men suddenly, but a certain Ghost or Spirit came first unto these houses over which destruction hovered, and then certain perdition followed after. At last when the people came to know the cause of this their sickness, they renounced their former Idolatrous sacrifices, rites and Interludes, and resorting with their whole families to Saint Gregory, they entreated him both to instruct them and to pray unto God for them, that so they might escape this pestilence. By which means they all abandoning their Idol-worship were drawn to the profession of Christ's Name: part of them being led as it were by the hand unto the truth by the disease that was then upon them; others of them embracing the faith of Christ, as a defensative to secure them from the plague; their sickness being more effectual to convert them then their health. For those who were so weak in their health that they could not be won by reasons to approve the truth, were made whole in faith, by this their corporal disease. Loe here a man-eating pestilence sent by God from Heaven upon these Pagan Play-haunters; Answerable to which I find another Story in Plutarch, who relates; that in the Consulship of Gaius Sulpitius, and Licinius Solon, the great plague then reigning in Rome, devoured not only sundry Play-haunters, but even all the Stage-players then in Rome, so that there was not so much as one of them left alive: A just judgment of God upon these pestiferous miscreants. And may we not then suspect, that their toleration of, and our great resort to Stage-plays, hath been a great occasion of those devouring Plagues, which formerly and now of late have seised, not only upon London and her Suburbs, (where divers public standing Play-houses are every day frequented,) but on other Towns and Cities too, where straggling wandering Players (though Rogues by Statute ) do ofttimes act their parts? Sure I am that Saint Augustine, Orosius, and others truly style Stage-plays; the very plague and pestilence of men's minds and manners ; and that Clemens Alexandrinus, Tertullian, and S. Chrysostom, call the Play-house; the • ery sea • e and chair of pestilence ; no wonder therefore if they produce a plague in those Kingdoms, & the Cities which permit them. Indeed the ancient Pagan Romans when as Rome was exceedingly pestered with the plague; sent into Tuscany for Stage-players, to asswage its rage: but both Livy, Augustine, and Orosius assure us; that they were so far from mitigating this plague which • eised on men's bodies, which they did rather aggravat • ; that instead of it, they brought in among them, a far more pernicious and perpetual pestilence of their souls and manners (to wit, their wicked pestiferous Stage-plays) which they could not shake off. In the first year of Queen Elizabeth's Rain, all Stage-plages were prohibited by public proclamation from the 7. of April till Allhallontide, of purpose to cease that plague which was then begun ; and so in all great sicknesses since that time, all public Interludes have been suppressed for the selfsame reason. If then the inhibiting of public Stage-plays hath been such a common an • idote to asswage those fearful Plagues, which God in justice hath inflicted on us; we may then conclude from the rule of contraries, that our resort to ribaldry Stage-plays (which God without all question, as appears by all the new recited judgments, cannot but abhor, ) is a grand occasion both of the engendering and propagating these late, these present plagues which yet we feel, and suffer. As therefore we would fly and fear this dreadful fatal sickness, which hath a long time hovered over our heads, and hath almost quite depopulated some particular places of this Kingdom (and God knoweth how soon, how fast it may increase to sweep us all away) let us henceforth cast out these our lewd pestiferous Interludes, and rase down these our Leprous Play-houses, which may involue us in the selfsame miseries, that these Caesarians here sustained, to our utter ruin. But if all these former examples will not deter us from these Spectacles, let us consider what general National judgments they have oft procured. To pass by God's judgments upon Sodom for her Cirques and Theaters, as Prudentius poetically expresseth it; who affirms with all that Christians after their conversion, return back no more to Plays and Theaters. The excessive expenses of the Athenians on their Stage-plays (if Plutarch or Justin may be credited,) was the very overthrow and destruction of their State, and the occasion of their bondage to the Macedonians. Arnobius informs the Gentiles, against whom he wrote; that all the evils, the miseries with which mortality was overwhelmed and oppressed from day today, without intermission, originally sprang from Stage-plays, with which these Heathen Gentiles were besotted. Saint Augustine at large demonstrates; that the bringing in, and tolerating of Stage-plays, which vitiates the minds and manners of the Romans, was the principal cause of the very ruin of their Common-weal and of all those fat all miseries which befell them. Whereupon he breaks out into this pathetical exclamation. O fools! O mad men! what is this your extreme I say not error, but frenzy, that when as all the Eastern Nations, as we have heard, and the very greatest Cities in the remotest Countries do publicly grieve and sorrow for your destruction; that you should run after Theaters • enter into them, fill them, and make them much more unruly and outrageous then before? This plague and pestilence of men's minds; this overthrow of honesty and goodness did worthy Scipio fear would befall you, when he prohibited Theaters to be erected; when he discerned that you might be easily corrupted and overturned with prosperity; when as he would not have you secure from fear of enemies: neither did he think the Common-weal could be happy, when as the walls of it only stood, but the manners fell to ruin. But in you that hath more prevailed which wicked Devils have seducingly suggested, then that which provident men have labored to prevent. Hence is it, that the evils, which you do, you will not have them to be imputed to you; and the evils, which you suffer, you impute only to the Christian times. Neither in your security do you seek for a peaceable Common-wealth, but an unpunished luxury, who being depraved with prosperity, cannot yet be amended by adversity. Saint Chrysostom, as he records; that Stage-plays had brought great mischiefs upon Cities, both in respect of sin and punishment; so he with all relates: That the very Heavens were made. Brasse, and the earth Iron; that the very elements themselves did proclaim God's wrath against men for their Stage-plays. How long therefore O sons of men will ye be slow of heart? Why (writes he) do ye love vanity in Interludes, and seek after lies in Stage-players? Holy Salvian writes expressly; That the very sacking of Rome, the destruction of all Italy, the spoiling of Ravenna, Trevers, Marseilles, Agrippina, Moguntia, and a great part of France and Spain by the Goathes and Vandals, was but a just judgment of God in • licted on them for their frequenting and maintaining Plays and Theaters; whose execrable filthiness, whose inconsistency with Christianity, and whose odiousness in God's eye-sight, he most eligantly discyphers. If we observe all the passages of the Roman History, we shall easily discover that the Roman Common-weal had never so bad Emperors and Magistrates, and the greatest plagues that can befall a people, that it was never so ill governed, never so much disordered and corrupted: and that the Romans themselves and their Allies were never so strangely oppressed, afflicted, dissipated and consumed, with all kind of plagues and judgments; with pestilences, civil dissensions, tyranny, foreign invasions, exactions, mundations, earthquakes, fires, and the like, as in the reigns of Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Heliogabalus, Commodus, Carinus, and these other flagitious Histrionicall Emperors in whose reigns both Plays and Players were in most request, as well with Prince as people, whose sins were nourished and intended by them; and so by consequence God's judgments on them too. When ever their Plays and Theaters went up, their manners, virtues, prosperity and Common-wealth went down, and all God's judgments fell upon them, as their Historians declare at large. When Herod brought in Plays among the Jews, then went their manners, their State, their whole Nation unto wreck, and God's judgments seised on them more fatally then before. To come nearer to our times: Franciscus Petrarcha, M. Northbrooke, M. Stubs, and others certify us: That Stage-plays draw down God's vengeance not only on their Actors and Spectators (for which they recite some precedents;) but likewise on those States and Cities which allow them. Master Brinsly, a reverend Divine, informs us: That such who frequent Play-houses, must needs bring faggots and firebrands to set in the gates of our Jerusalem. The very Title of the second and third Blast of Retrait from Plays and Theaters, published by Authority in the year of our Lord, 1 • 80.) instructs us; That that Common-weal is nigh unto the curse of God, wherein either Players be made of, or Theaters maintained: And the Author of the third of these Blasts, being once a Play-poet, writes; That sin did so abound at Stage-plays, and was there so openly committed, that when he gave himself first to observe the abuse of common Plays, he looked, whe • God in justice should presently in his wrath have confounded the beholders. And I am verily persuaded (saith he) that if Players may be still permitted to make sale of sin, we shall pull on our heads God's vengeance, and to our Realm bring an utter confusion. And no wonder that it should be so: For where ever sin goes before, God's wrath and vengeance will certainly follow after ; where all wickedness and profaneness super-abound, God's Judgments cannot but abound at last. Now Plays and Play-houses, (as the precedent Scenes do manifest,) are the fruitful nurseries, and fomenters of all wickedness, all lewdness whatsoever: they likewise harden men's hearts thorough the deceitfulness of sin, and undispose them to repentance ; they so ripen and prepare men for God's judgments, that they have neither providence to foresee, nor any spiritual wisdom to prevent them: no wonder therefore if God's judgments seise upon them to their just destruction, even in the ruffe of all their carnal iolity and fearless security. You have now seen a short survey of God's tragical judgments upon Play-poets, Players, Play-haunters, and those States and Cities wherein they are tolerated and approved, together with the reason of it, which must needs stand firm, as long as God is just to punish sin. These few examples therefore of God's judgments (which should be warnings unto all) should lesson all Play-poets, to give over their composing; all common Actors, to renounce the acting; all voluptuous Play-haunters, to abandon the sight and hearing, of all Theatricall Interludes; all Christian Princes, Cities, States and Magistrates ( whose connivency at any evils that they might suppress, doth make them deeply guilty of them ) forever to exile all Plays, and demolish all Play-houses whatsoever; for fear they pull God's judgments down upon them, as they have done on others. Alas, why should any Christian Play-poet, Player, or Spectator; any Christian State or City where Plays have public countenance, be so desperately secure, as to conceit; that though Plays have brought God's judgments upon others, yet they shall scape unpunished, his wrath shall never seise on them: what ground, what warrant is there for any such unchristian surmise? Is not God's avenging justice towards sin and sinners, still the same? and are not Stage-plays, Play-poets, Actors, Play-haunters, and those places where they are tolerated, as execrably vicious, as sinful, as odious now to God as ever? Is not the selfsame punishment always due unto the selfsame sins and sinners? and is not the selfsame sin as sinful, as peccable; yea more execrable, more damnable in Christians, then in Pagans? God hath most severely punished Pagan, yea and Christian Play-poets, Stage-players, Play-haunters, and such States as tolerated them, for Stage-plays heretofore, as the forequoted examples testify; and shall he not much more avenge himself on such like Christians for their Stage-plays now? And yet alas, such is the infidelity such the security of men's obdurate hearts, that not only when they hear, but likewise when they visibly behold God's vengeance seising upon others, for composing, acting, frequenting, countenancing these vain delights of sin; yet they really believe not, either that these have perished, or that themselves shall perish for the selfsame things, unless they likewise see themselves destroyed too: neither are they any whit affected with the sudden fearful deaths of others, till such a death hath seised on themselves. O therefore now at last (as we tender our own private or the public safety,) let other men's wounds be our cautions; let these men's deaths, prove our life; let their judgments be our medicines. He (saith Saint Cyprian ) is too audacious, who strives to pass over there, where he hath seen another to have fallen: he is outrageously unruly who is not struck with fear when he sees another perish in that course which he is running. He only is a lover of his own safety, who takes warning by another's death: And he only is a provident man, who is made solicitous by the ruins of other men: which Solomon approveth, saying, The prudent seeing the evil man punished, is greatly instructed: And again, When wicked men fall, the just will be much affrighted. It is an adverse hurtful confidence, which certainly commits its life to dangers, as to a certain thing • And that is but a slippery hope, which presumes it shall be safe amids the fomentations of sin. It is an uncertain victory to fight amidest the enemies weapons; and it is an impossible deliverance to be compassed about with flames, and not to burn. Wherefore let not a peradventure, that we may escape God's judgments, though we still resort to Stage-plays; overpoyse, a peradventure, that they may seise upon us, as they have done on others. Neither let God's long-suffering towards Play-poets, Players, Play-haunters, and such Republics as approve them, ( which in truth should lead them to repentance ;) make all or any of them or us secure against the fear of his avenging hand. For the longer God's judgments are delayed, the greater will they be at last. That punishment is most troublesome, which is deferred with a foregoing terror: that torment is more grievous, more intolerable which is delayed for this only purpose, that it may strike the longer, the deeper: For sudden evils quickly strike us thorough; whereas delayed judgments bring a multiplied, and usurious punishment with them. Wherefore the longer the Lord hath deferred to punish, by so much the more solicitous let the servant be: by how much the longer Christ is ere he come, the more prepared let a Christian be. He is no provident servant, whom his Lord when he comes shall find unprepared. God hath a long time spared many Play-poets, Players, Play-haunters, States and Cities where Plays are harbored, though some of these have smarted for them: he hath mercifully forborne many such of us at home; and though he hath a long time chastised us as a Father, yet he hath not as yet wholly consumed us, as an avenging Judge; but how soon he is likely to do it, if we repent not speedily, we may all conjecture: O therefore let not the long suffering of our gracious God, harden any of us in the love, the exercise or approbation of these ungodly Interludes, or of any other pleasures of sin which are but for a season: But let these judgments of God, which Plays have brought on Pagans, on Christians heretofore, and for ought we know upon ourselves, be now at last a warning-peal to us, with speed, with care and conscience to abandon them: and thus to syllogize against them in the 44. place, with which I shall close up this Scene.
That which draws down God's judgments, wrath and vengeance, both upon the Composers, Actors, and Spectators of it; and likewise upon those Magistrates, States, and Cities, which foster and approve it: must needs be sinful, ( since God never inflicts his judgments but for sin ) yea altogether to be avoided of all good Christians, and not tolerable in any Christian Common-weal.
But this do Stage-plays; as the premises demonstrate.
Therefore they must needs be sinful, yea altogether to be avoided of all good Christians; and intolerable in any Christian Common-weal.
SCENA VICESSIMA.
THe last effect of Stage-plays, which ariseth as a [ 20] necessary consequent from all the former, is this; That without sincere repentance they eternally damn men's souls. A fruit, a consequent with a witness, which should cause all Players, all Play-poets, all Play-haunters to look about them. And this must needs be so: For, if the wages of sin be death; and if every unrepented, unlamented, 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 idle, vain, or sinful action, word and thought, shall rec • ive a just recompense of reward: If the unrighteous, the adulterous and unchaste, shall not inherit the Kingdom of God and of Christ: If the wicked shall be turned into Hell and all the people that forget God, then c • rtainely the wages of Stage-plays, (which abound with many idle sinful speeches, actions, and representations, directly sinful in sundry different respects, as I have manif • stead by the premises; and therefore cannot but exclude their unrighteous, adulterous, unchaste Actors and Spectators out of Heaven, and tumble them headlong into Hell for all eternity, unl • sse they prevent this danger by sincere repentance) must be eternal death. Stage-plays, (as not only the best, but even the worst of men confess, ) are the very sinks, the seminaries, food, and treasures of all wickedness and lewdness whatsoever: they are the very baits, the snares, the engines, the sweet Syrenean enchantments of the Devil, with which he sweetly allures men to destruction; by which he insinuates all kind of viceousnesse into their souls; and steals away their hearts from God and heavenly things: they are the principal instruments to entice, to enthrall men unto sin, to enamor men with sin; to detain men under the commanding power of sin; and to keep •• em off from all true contrition for sin: Needs therefore must they drown their Actors, their Composers and Spectators in everlasting perdition both of soul and body, if they repent not of, and utterly renounce them as they have vowed in their baptism. Hence is that memorable passage of Hippolitus an ancient Martyr, in his Oration, De Consummatione mundi & Antichristo, about the year of our Lord, 220. where he informs us; that Christ shall say thus to Play-haunters and wicked men, at the last day: Depart from me ye workers of iniquity, I know you not: you are become the workmen of another Master, that is, of the Devil. Possess with him darkness and fire, which is not put out, and the worm that sleepeth not, and gnashing of teeth, &c. For I have made your ears that you should hear the Scriptures; but you have prepared them for the songs of Devils, for harps and ridiculous things. I have created your eyes that you might behold the light of my precepts and thoroughly perform th • m; but you have called for whoredoms and uncleanness, and have opened them to all other filthiness: I have made your mouths to glorify and praise the Lord, to sing Psalms and spiritual Songs, and to utter the continual meditation of what you read: but you have applied it to railing, to swearing, to blasphemies, whiles you did sit and backbite your neighbors. I have formed your hands that you should stretch them out to prayers and supplications; but you have reached them forth to rapines, murders, and mutual slaughters. I have ordain • d your feet, that you should walk in the preparation of the Gospel of peace, both in Churches and in the houses of my Saints; but you have taught them to run to adulteries, whoredoms, Stage-plays, dances, vaultings. Now the public assembly is dissolved; the spectacle of this world is ended; the fashion and deceit of it is passed away, &c. Depart therefore into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels. And then alas poor wretches, what will become of them • when as Christ sha • l thus upbraide and charge them with their resort to Plays and Play-houses, and their employing both of their eyes, their ears, their hands, their feet, their minds and times about them, at the last? Perish they must, and that irrecoverably, for all eternity. This sundry Fathers testify. The profession and following of Stage-plays (writes Chrysostom ) is a way of the world which leads unto the Devil, the general way of perdition: Therefore he exhorts his Auditors, to avoid the pestiferous Fish-pond of the Theater; for this is that, which drowns its Spectators in the fiery Sea of Hell, and kindles the very bottom of its fire. Macarius AEgyptius writes expressly: that those who are delighted with Spectacles and Stage-plays, shall never enter into Heaven without repentance, pain, and fighting, because the way to Heaven is narrow and full of affliction. Saint Cyprian, and Tertullian in their Books, De Spectaculis. Lactantius De Vero Cultu. c. 20. Clemens Romanus Constit. Apostol. lib. 2. cap. 66. Augustine De Civitate Dei. lib. 2. cap. 29. & lib. 6. cap. 6. De Symbolo ad Catechumenos. lib. 2. cap. 1.2. & l. 4. cap. 1. Confessionum. lib. 3. cap. 1.2. & lib. 6. cap. 7.8. Salvian. De Gubernatione Dei. lib. 6. write as much: Yea all those Fathers and Councils which excommunicated Players and Play-haunters from the Church, till they had repented, renounced the acting, the beholding of all Theatricall Interludes, affirm the same, since those can never be deemed worthy the society of the Saints in Heaven, who are not fit to communicate with the Saints on earth. Certainly that which the Church doth lawfully bind on earth is bound in Heaven ; those therefore who are justly excluded out of, condemned by the militant Church, as Players and Play-haunters ought to be, are excluded likewise out of Heaven, are condemned in Heaven, unless they do repent. This all the moderne Christian Authors, together with two penitent relenting Play-poets of our own who have written against Stage-plays, do likewise jointly testify: And indeed they should all have written in vain against these Interludes, did they not bring perdition to men's souls. There are but three things that have moved all the Fathers, Councils, and Christian Authors which I shall here recite, to write against Stage-plays so frequently, so abundantly as they have done. The first is the dishonor, the injury that Stage-plays do to God: The second the prejudices, mischiefs, and inconveniences they bring upon the Church and State: The third, the guilt, the sins, the damnation they procure to men's souls: the last of which is a necessary consequence from the former, which are merely false, if this be not true. Since therefore it is evident by the Confession of all these Fathers, Counsels and Christian Writers, who have censured Stage-plays: by excommunicating Players and Play-haunters in the Primitive Church till their sincere repentance ; by all the foregoing Acts and Scenes; and by the practice of Players, Play-poets, Play-haunters of ancient, of moderne times, ( who always upon their true co • version and repentance have utterly discarded, and renounced Plays and Play-houses ) that Stage-plays without sincere repentance damn men's souls: Let this teach all Players, Play-poets, and Play-haunters whatsoever, as they tender the eternal welfare of their souls and bodies; as they desire to avoid the unsupportable wrath of God, the everlasting torments of Hell ; and to participate of the eternal joys of Heaven, even seriously to bewail, and cordially to repent their former penning, acting, and beholding of all forepast Stage plays and forever to abandon all such Interludes for time to come, as the certain contrivers, the infallible consummators of their just damnation, unless they seriously repent. Yea let this lesson all them when ever they are tempted to Plays or Play-houses by any lewd companions, by Satan, or by they own sinful lusts, to answer these temptations, with this 45. Play-confounding Argument, from which there is no evasion.
Those things which without sincere repentance bring eternal destruction and damnation on men's souls and bodies, must needs be sinful, abominable, and eternally execrable unto Christians.
But this do Stage-plays; as all the premises testify.
Therefore they must needs be sinful, abominable, and eternally execrable unto Christians.
Damnation, as it is a fru • t of sin, so it is that which every man should labor to avoid, though it were with the loss of his very dearest members, much more of his unprofitable and sinful pleasures, which always end in grief. Our Savior Christ himself hath given us this advice, that if our right hand, or our right eye offend us, we should cut off the one, and pluck out the other: for it is profitable for us, that one of our members should perish, rathe • then that our whole bodies and souls should be cast into Hell; where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched: If a man to avoid damnation must thus offer violence to, and even with indignation cut off, pull out, and cast away, his right hand, his right eye, the usefullest, the profitablest, the dearest, be • t-beloved of all his other members; should he not much more abandon, abominate these unprofitable, expensive, and pernicious Stage-plays, that so he might escape it? Alas, who would be so desperately prodigal of his own salvation; who would so vilify, so undervalue Heaven, or his own immortal Soul, ( the loss of which cannot be recompensed with the gain of all the world, ) as to set to hazard, to forfeit them for a Stage-play? and yet how many thousands daily do it? O that such men would consider but a while, what damnation, what eternal, eternal damnation, accompanied with the everlasting wrath and vengeance of an Almighty provoked sin-revenging God, is! this certainly would cau • e them, as it • hold cause us all, forever to detest these sugered soppes of Satan, which without sincere repentance prove naught else but eternal bitterness both to soul and body. Damnation is in truth the only argument to rouse voluptuous and secure persons, who lie rotting in the dregs of sinful pleasures: O that the terror, and alarm of it would now at last awaken those miserable graceless Play-poets, Actors, Play-haunt • rs, who lie sleeping in the very brink of Hell, without any suspicion or fear of danger; that so it might cause them with care a • d conscience perp • tually to divorce them • elves from Stage-plays; which as they had their original beginning, growth, and progress from the Devil ; so they always have their end in Hell, damnation, and eternal torments with the Devil, unless God's infinite mercy, and men's true repentance interpose. A su • ficient motive to withdraw all men, all Christians from them: and with that holy Father Saint Augustine in his most pious Confessions (where he oft bewails with tears his running unto Stage-plays before his true conversion) forever to renounce them.
CHORVS.
YOu have seen now Christian Readers, the several bitter fruits, and pernicious effects of Stage-plays, most copiously anatomized in the precedent Act: and certainly if ever any tree were discovered to be evil by its evil fruits, then Stage-plays, (whose variety of evil products surmounts all others) must be as bad, if not far worse, then any. The fruits of Stage-plays (as is evident by the premises) are bad in respect of God, whom they sundry ways dishonor: bad, in regard of Church and State, whom they exceedingly prejudice and corrupt; bad in regard of the Composers. Actors, Spectators, and upholders of them, whose sins they multiply, whose manners they corrupt, whose time they wast, whose minds they effeminate and deprave, whose hearts they harden, whose souls they contaminate, whose repentance they anticipate or defer, whose lusts they foster, whose damnation they hasten, whose everlasting torments they accumulate, and without repentance really procure. As therefore we tender the honor, love, and worship of our gracious God; the happiness, the welfare of our Church and State, the purity, tranqnility, salvation of our own poor souls, of the souls of our brethren, our posterity • which succeed us: Let us henceforth pass in irrepealable sentence of condemnation against all popular Stage-plays, and bid an everlasting farewell to them; that so we may avoid these several cursed fruits, and dangerous con • equences which they always constantly produce, together with all these imminent plagues and judgments which now without your speedy repentance they are likely to pull down on us, both to our temporal and eternal ruin.
ACTVS 7.
SCENA PRIMA.
HAving thus at large related the various [ 1] grounds and reasons of the unlawfulness of Stage-plays in such a perspicuous manner, as I hope will satisfy the judgment, the conscience of every impartial Reader; I come now to a particular summary enumeration of those Authorities, that concur together with me in condemning Plays and Interludes, which I shall marshall into seven distinct Squadrons.
The first Squadron consists of such texts of holy Scripture, as are produced by the Fathers and latter Writers against Stage-plays: some of them oppugning them in one kind, some in another. If we survey the original Authors, Patriots, Frequenters, Actors; together with the primary use of these theatrical Interludes; which were at first invented, acted, fostered, frequented by Devil-Idols, Pagans, Idolaters, lascivious dissolute graceless persons; and devoted wholly to Idolatry, Idols, Devils, and the lusts of carnal wicked worldly men: we shall find these several Scriptures that oppugn them, condemn them: viz. Levite: 18.30. Deutr: 7.2.3, 4, 16, 25, 26. c: 12.3, 29, 30. c: 20.16, 17, 18. Josh: 7.12. c: 11.12. Judges 2.2. Numb: 33.52. Psal: 16.4. Ier: 10 1, 2, 3. Acts 15.20.29. Rom: 12.2. c: 13.12, 13, 14. 1 Cor: 8.1. to 11. c: 10.7, 20, 21. 2 Cor: 6.14, 15, 16. Ephes : 2.2, 3. c: 4.17. to 25. c: 5.3, 4, 11. Col: 2, 8, 20, 21, 22. Titus 2.13, 14. c: 3.3. 1 Pet: 4.2, 3. & 1.14, 15, 18. I am: 1.21, 26, 27. c: 4.7, 8 9, 10. c: 5.1, 5. 2 Pet: 2.7, 8, 10, 13, 14, 19, 20, 22. 1 John: 2.15, 16. c: 3.8. c: 5.21. Jude 4.7, 8, 12, 13, 16, 18, 23. Rev: 2.20. c: 21.8, 27, c: 22.11.15. All which, though they condemn not Stage-pla • es in precise terms, ( which no Canonical Scripture doth: ) yet they positively prohibit and censure them under the names, of Idolatry: things consecrated unto Idols: the Cup and Table of Devils: the monuments, relics, ceremonies, customs, rites, delights, of Idols and Idolaters: the way and fashion of the Heathen: the will of the Gentiles: the things, the course, and custom of the world: carnal worldly lusts and pleasures: the lusts of our former ignorance, and our vain conversation received by tradition from our Fathers: revellings, banquettings, and abominable idolatries: the rudiments, traditions, ordinances, sports and customs of the world, of worldly sensual men: the works, the will, the lusts of the Devil, &c. under which these Stage-plays are as really, as absolutely comprised as any part is under the whole, or any Species under its proper Genus. Hence Saint Cyprian peremptorily concludes, That the Scripture hath everlastingly condemned all sorts of Spectacles and Stage-plays, even then when it took away Idolatry the Mother of all plays, from whence all these monsters of vanity, of lewdness have proceeded. Which assertion of his is seconded by Tertullian, Lactantius, Cyril of Jerusalem, Chrysostom, Augustine, Salvian, with others of ancient and moderne times, who doom all Stage-plays from these very Scriptures. If we consider the nature, the materials, the circumstances, the concomitants, the effects, the fruits and ends of Stage-plays; together with the manner, the circumstances of their Action; the quality of the persons that act, or else frequent them: all which I have at large displayed in the foregoing Acts: (where their obscenity, vanity, effeminacy, lasciviousness, prodigality • and lewd pernicious consequences are laid open to the full: ) we shall soon discover, that not only the seventh come • andement, (as most moderne Expositors of it witness;) but even, Exod. 32.6.19. c. 23.13. Deutr. 22.5. Josh. 23.7. Job 21.11, 12, 13. Numb. 15.39. Psal. 16.4. Psal. 101.3. to the end. Psal. 1.1. Psal. 24.3, 4. Isaiah 3.16, 17. cap. 5.12. cap. 33.15, 16. cap. 55.2, 7. cap. 58.3. Hosea 2.17. Ecclesiastes 2.2. cap. 7.4, 5, 6. c. 11.9. Prov. 12.11. c. 14.9 c. 21.17. Amos 6.1. to 11. Zech. 13.2. Matth. 12.36, 37. Rom. 13.12, 13, 14. 1 Cor. 5.7. to 12. c. 6.8, 9. Gal. 5.16. to 26. Ephes. 2.2, 3, 4. c. 4.29, 31. c. 5.1. to 18. Luke 1.74, 75. 2 Cor. 12.21. Phil. 3.17, 18, 19, 20. Col. 3.1. to 11. c. 4.5, 6. 1 Thes. 5.15. to 24. 2 Thes. 3.6, 11, 14. 1 Tim. 4.7. c. 5.6. 2 Tim. 3.4. Hebr. 11.25. 1 Pet. 1.13, 14, 18. c. 2.11, 12. Gal. 6.8.14. 1 John. 2.5, 15, 16, 17: with infinite other Scriptures, condemn all Stage-plays in regard of their subject matter, circumstances, fruits and manner of Action, &c. as I have more particularly demonstrated in the precedent Scenes. Hence Tertullian positively informs us, That the Scripture hath interdicted all Plays and Interludes under the prohibitions of lewdness and lasciviousness: and that those texts of Scripture which condemn all worldly concupiscence, all idle words, all scurrility, all foolish filthy talking and jecting: all standing in the way of sinners, and sitting in the seat of the scornful: together with hypocrisy and dissimulation; the making of any Idols image or likeness, and the putting on of women's apparel by men: do expressly inhibit and condemn both Plays themselves, resort to Play-houses, and the very acting and beholding of all theatrical Interludes. If we peruse St. Hilary, St. Ambrose, Chrysostom, Cyril of Jerusalem, St Augustine, and others, we shall find them encountering Stage-plays with that of Psalm 119. v. • 7. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, and quicken me in thy word. If we reflect on Clemens Alexandrinus, Lactantius, Nazianzen, Basil, Jerome, Salvian, Thomas Gualesius, Gualther, Petrarcha, Holkot, Bishop Babington, Mr. Northbrooke, Dr. Reinolds, Mr. Stubs, and all the rest which I have formerly quoted in the 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Scenes of the foregoing Act ; we shall see them battering down Plays and Play-houses, with the seventh commandment: Ephes. 5.3, 4. Deutr. 22.5. Prov. 14.9. c. 21.17. Eccles. 2.2. c. 7 • 3, 4, 5. Rom. 13.13, 14, 15. 1 Thes. 5.22. 1 John. 2.14, 15: and all the forequoted Scriptures: which (if all their judgments may be credited) do either directly, or by way of consequence, conclude all Stage-plays to be sinful, yea utterly unlawful unto Christians. If we add Apochryphall Scriptures unto these Canonical, we shall find such express authority against Stage-plays, as must needs put all their Patriots, their Actors and Spectators to eternal silence: For in the first Book of the Maccabees, c. 1. v. 11, 12, 13, 14: we read thus: That in the days of Antiochus Epiphanes there went out of Israel wicked men, who persuaded many, saying; Let us go and make a covenant with the Heathen that are round about us, for since we departed from them we have had much sorrow: so this device pleased them well. Then certain of the people were so forward therein, that they went to the King, who gave them license to do after the ordinances of the Heathen: Whereupon they built a place of exercise at Jerusalem, according to the customs of the Heathen, and made themselves uncircumcised, and f • rsooke the holy covenant, and joined themselves to the Heathen, and were sold to do mischief. Which story is thus further amplified, and more particularly related in the 2. of the Maccabees. cap. 4. v. 7. to 18. Where we read; That Jesus • who styled himself Jason, and symoniacally purchased the High-priesthood of Antiochus Epiphanes, promised to assign this wicked King 150 talents of silver, if he might have license to set him up a place of Exercise, Josephus stiles it, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , and the Latin translations render it Gymnasium, which as Calepine, Holioke, and before them both, Isiodor Hilpalensis, witness; signifieth, a public place, where vaulting, wrestling, running, dancing, throwing of the stone, and all kind of Plays and Interludes were practiced:) for the training up of the Jewish youth in the fashions of the Heathen, Which when the King had granted, and he had gotten into his hand the rule, he forthwith brought his own Nation to the Greekish fashion: and putting down the governments that were according to the Law, he brought up new customs against the Law: For he built gladly a place of Exercise (in nature of a Theatre, where Plays and sports were acted) under the Tower it self; and brought the young men under his subjection. Now such was the height of Greek fashions and increase of heathenish manners through the exceeding profaneness of Jesus, that ungodly wretch; that the Priests had no more courage to serve anymore at the Altar, but despising the Temple, and neglecting the sacrifices, hastened to be partakers of the unlawful allowance in the place of Exercise, after the game of Discus called them forth: (which one kind of Exercise is put for all the Graecian Plays and Pastimes) not setting up the honors of their Fathers, but liking the glory of the Grecians (who were much devoted unto Stage-plays) best of all. By reason whereof sore calamity came upon them; for they had them to be their enemies and avengers, whose customs they followed so earnestly, and unto whom they desired to be like in all things: for it is not a light thing to do wickedly against the Law of God: Which Apochryphall passage, the Papists allowing to be Canonical Scripture, and Protestants approving to be an undoubted story, though not canonical Text, infallibly assures us ; First, that these Plays and Interludes had their original from the Idolatrous dissolute Pagan Greeks ; and that they were the exercises, ordinances and customs of the Heathen. Secondly, that they were never in use among the Jews till this wicked Iasons time, who is the first we read of that erected a Theatre or place of exercise for these and such like pastimes in Jerusalem, about 174 years before our Savior's Nativitie; where Herod likewise set up a Theatre and Amphitheatre for stage-plays, sword-plays, cirque-plays, and such other Roman sports, about some 25 years before our Savior's birth; till which times the Jews were utterly unacquainted with these heathenish spectacles. Thirdly, that those who brought in these Plays among the Jews, were desperate wicked men, who made themselves uncircumcised, forsook the holy covenant, and joined themselves to the Heathen, being sold to do mischief. Fourthly, that the bringing in of these Plays withdrew the Jews from God, and from his Law, to open, yea, professed Paganism and Idolatry: Fifthly, that these Plays are directly against the holy covenant, and good Law of God, and that those who practice or approve them do wickedly against God's Law. Lastly, that the introducing of Stage-plays was the cause of God's bringing in of sore calamity upon the Jews, and of those sundry judgments and afflictions which they suffered. If we add to this the apocryphal Constitutions of the Apostles, recorded by Clemens Romanus ; we shall find them expressly condemning and prohibiting Stage-plays, with all those Graecian Interludes which Jason introduced; commanding all Christians to withdraw themselves from them yea wholly to renounce them as the very inventions and pomps of the Devil: nay we shall see St. Paul himself, expressly excommunicating and casting out of the Church, all Stage-players, and Play-haunters, whether male or female, till they shall utterly renounce their profession, and take their everlasting farewell of Stage-plays. It is evident then by all these Canonical and Apocryphal Scriptures, & by the Apostles constitutions; that Stage-plays are directly contrary to, and condemned by the very sacred • awe and word of God; which administers unto us this 46. Play-condemning argument, against which there can be no averment, from which there can be no evasion.
That which is fully and really condemned by sundry sacred texts both of canonical and apochryphall Scripture, must certainly be sinful, and altogether unlawful unto Christians, who must never allow, or practice that which the very word of God condemns.
Bvt Stage-plays are fully and really condemned by sundry sacred texts both of canonical and apochryphall Scripture; as is undeniably evident by the premises.
Therefore they must certainly be sinful, and altogether unlawful unto Christians:
Who if for no other reason, yet for this alone, should now at last without more delays, renounce, suppress all Stage-plays, which the sacred Scripture (the very ground and object of our faith, the very rule, the square both of our lives and thoughts ) hath thus condemned.
SCENA SECVNDA.
THe second Squadron of Play-oppugning Authorities, is the venerable hoary resolution of the whole [ 2] primitive Church both under (if not before) the Law and Gospel; which hath passed such an irrepealable sentence of condemnation against all Stage-plays, Players, and Play-haunters, as no true member of the holy Catholic Church shall be ever able to gainsay. That the whole Church of God under the Law ( consisting only of Jews and Jewish Proselytes ) abominated and rejected Stage-plays, it is most apparent by these ensuing reasons. First, because we find no mention at all of any such Plays or Interludes in any canonical Scripture, or ancient Jewish Authors, nor any intimation that the Jews approved them. Secondly, because Stage-plays (as Josephus, and the Books of Maccabees inform us; were most directly opposite both to the Jewish laws, their government, manners, rites and customs: For first the Jews (and so all Christians) were expressly enjoined by God's Law, to make no image, likeness or representation of any Idol, nor yet to make mention of any Idols name. Now Stage-plays were always fraught with the pictures, images, representations, and names of Pagan idols, which the Jews could never brook: and thereupon they withstood Herod when he would have brought his Stage-plays into Jerusalem, because of the images, visours and pictures that attended them. Secondly, the Jews were commanded to abandon all monuments, rites and relics of Idols and Idolatry: all customs, fashions, vanities, exercises and pastimes of the Heathen round about them; whose ways and customs they were not for to learn, much less to practice. Now Stage-plays were the very monuments, rites and relics of Idolatry, of Pagan Devil-Idols: the customs, fashions, vanities, exercises, ways and pastimes of the Heathen Greeks and Romans, who bordered on them, and subdued them ; as Josephus, Philo Judaeus • the Books of Maccabees, and others witness: therefore the Jewish Church must of necessity condemn them, never practice them. Thirdly, because the Author of the Books of Macabees informs us; that wicked Jason, and his profane confederates were the first that brought in these Plays and Grecian Exercises among the Jews, who never practiced them before; which Plays though divers of the Priests and people embraced, apostatizing wholly from their religion and God's worship; yet the Jewish Church, with all those Jews who clave close to their religion did utterly abandon and condemn them, as directly contrary to the holy covenant and Law of God. Fourthly, Josephus, that famous Jewish Historian, as he condemneth Jason for this fact of his: so he informs us likewise, that when as Herod would have introduced Stage-plays, Sword-plays and such like Roman Spectacles into Jerusalem, where he had built a stately Theatre and Amphith • atre for the exercise of those theatrical Interludes; of purpose (as it seemed) to draw the Jews to Paganism, and overturn their ancient discipline; to which end he likewise erected another Theatre at Cesarea Stratonis: the whole Jewish Nation, and the gravest wisest men among them, were much offended with it; and thereupon withstood these Plays of his, as being contrary to their laws, their received discipline and customs; pernicious to their manners, prejudicial to their Republic, opposite to their Religion, and offensive to thei • God: Which Plays when Herod resolved to bring in by force whether the Jews would or no, there were cer • aine • Jews confederated together to murder him in the Theatre it self, out of the detestation which they bure to Plays, of purpose to prevent those mischievous consequ • ncies which these Sta • e-plays would occasion both to their religion, discipline, state, and Country manners, which they were bound in honor, yea in conscience to maintain, though it were with the hazard of their lives. Fifthly, Philo, a very learned Jew, who flourished in the Apostles times, under Gaius the Emperor, (a man whom Josephus, Eusebius, Jerome, Augustine, and others highly magnify:) as he expressly condemns Stage-plays, as voluptuous, petulant, nugatory, vain and hurtful Pastimes, in which many thousands of wretched people did miserably spend their time nay waste their lives, neglecting in the mean while both the public and their own private affairs: So he records withal, That Moses thought it meet, that all his Citizens, following the law of nature, should celebrate the seventh day (being the birth-day of the, world) in rest, and festival recreations; laying aside all works, all gainful callings and secular employments, that so they might wholly apply themselves, not to sports and pleasures, (as some do) nor yet t • the ridiculous sights of Stage-plays and dances, which the unruly vulgar loves excessively, captivating their very soul by the two chiefest senses, sight and hearing • which of it self is free and sovereign: but that they might solely addict themselves to true phylosophy, and to God's worship and service. And withal he certifieth us, That the Jews in their solemn feasts and meetings abandoned all drunkenness, voluptuousness, effeminacy and excess; together with all Stage-players, Fiddlers • Tumblers, Iesters, (which the Grecians used in their festivals:) who did only exhilerate men's minds with scurrilous sports and jests: using no other mirth or music, but Psalms, and Hymns, and spiritual songs, wherein they sounded out God's praises. All which sufficiently manifests, that the whole Church of the Jews condemned Stage-plays. Sixthly, St. Chrysostom in his 56. Homily upon Genesis, discoursing of the marriage of Jacob to Laban's daughter, (even being before the Law was given) informs us: That the Saints of God in those times had no Musicians, no diabolical dancing at their marriages; that they sent for no Players from the Play-house to their houses, to corrupt the chastity of the married Virgin with their unseasonable expense, and to make her more impudent and incontinent ever after: a custom too frequent in his and our times, which this godly Father much condemns. Seventhly, Origen, (who much inveighes against Plays, against Players and Play-haunters, as the very brood and bondslaves of the Devil, who have no part at all in Christ or in his Church ) records: That Mo • es took away all such things as conduced not to the benefit of mankind; embracing and cherishing those things only which might be useful and profitable unto all men: whence he permitted and instituted no such Plays and gymnicall Exercises as the Gentiles used, in which naked men wrestled together, or contended with one another on horseback, or in which women were prostituted to the lusts of all men, that so they might delude nature by their lewdness. But this verily was principally intended among the Jews, that from their very cradles they might learn to transcend all nature, to overcome what ever was sensible, and to believe, that God resided not in any part of sensible nature, whom they did seek only in things above, and without all bodies. Lastly, Petrus Blesensis Archdeacon of Bathe, about the year of our Lord, 1160. speaking of that holy man Job ; informs us: That he nourished no lions, bears or apes; that no Stage-players, no singers of fables and vain idle toys resorted to him; that he gave not himself to the pleasures and vanities of this life, upon which many spend their estates; but that he bestowed his revenues in the charitable relieving of the poor. All which being laid together, is an undeniable proof; that the whole primitive Church and Saints of God both before and under the Law, did utterly abandon and condemn all Stage-plays, Players, and such other Spectacles as sinful and pernicious; not giving the least allowance to them. And shall we Christians under the Gospel, be worse than these were under the Law, and so make our condemnation far more terrible, our sin more out of measure sinful? God forbid.
That the whole primitive Church under the Gospel hath reprobated, abandoned and condemned Stage-plays, is more than evident. First, by the express testimony of Epiphanius, Bishop of Constance, in Cyprus, a learned ancient Father: who in his Compendiary Sum of the faith and doctrine of the Catholic and Apostolic Church, informs us, in positive terms: That the Catholic and Apostolical Church doth reprobate and forbid all Theatres, Stage-plays, Cirque-plays, and such like heathenish spectacles: An evidence so full, so pregnant, that we need no other. Secondly, by the suffrage of Tertullian • who in his Apology for the Christians against the Gentiles ; writes thus in the name and person of all the primitive Christians of his age: We renounce your Spectacles and Stage-plays, as far forth as we reject their originals; which we know to have had their conception from superstition. We have nothing at all to do with the fury of the Circus: with the dishonesty or lewdness of the Theatre, with the cruelty of the Arena: with the vanity of the Xystus or Wrestling place, we come not at all unto your Plays. Loe here a professed public Protestation of all the primitive Christians, against these Plays and Spectacles which we so much admire; whose detestation of Plays was so notoriously known to the Pagans, that Tertullian in his Book, De Spectaculis, affirms: That the Heathen Gentiles did most of all discern men to be Christians by this, that they abandoned and renounced Stage-plays. And shall this which was the eminentest badge of a Christian, heretofore, be nothing else but the ignominious brand of a Puritan, now? Certainly its a strong argument, that those whom the world now brands for Puritans, are in truth no other but the sincerest Christians ; and that those who style them so (especially for condemning or renouncing Stage-plays) are little better, (I had almost said as bad, nay worse) than Pagans: since he manifestly denies himself to be a Christian, who takes away this special mark by which he is known to be a Christian ; as the same Tertullian there infers. Thirdly, this truth is evident by Theophilus Patriarke of Antiochia about the year of our Lord 170: Who in the person of all the Christians of that age, writes thus unto Autolycus: We are all prohibited to behold sword-plays, lest we should be made partakers of such murders. Neither dare we behold those other Plays and Spectacles, lest our eyes should be defiled, and our ears should draw in those profane verses that are there uttered: neither dare we so much as to hear Thyestis whiles he commemorates tragical villainies, &c. Neither is it lawful for us to hear the adulteries of the God's and men, which they modulate with a sweet strain of words, being allured unto it by rewards. Far be it, far be it, I say, from Christians, with whom temperance and modesty flourish, and chastity bears sway, that we should so much as think, much less behold or act such villainies as these. What fuller, what plainer declaration against Stage-plays can we desire than this? Fourthly, Athenagoras, the famous Christian Philosopher, in his Apology or Embassy for the Christians, to M. Aurelius Antoninus, and Aurelius Commodus, two Roman Emperors, about the year of our Lord 180; writes thus in the behalf of the Christians of that age: We utterly disaffect and condemn your gladiatory Spectacles, Plays and Interludes. Fifthly, Minutius Felix, that famous Christian Lawyer, who flourished about 200 years after Christ, in his incomparable Dialogue, styled Ostavius, in the defense of the Christians; brings in Caelicius a Pagan, taxing the Christians, for that they resorted not to Stage-plays, neither were they present at public shows: to which Octavius, in the behalf of all the Christians gives this reply: We therefore who are valued by our manners and chastity, deservedly withdraw ourselves from your evil pleasures, Plays and spectacles, whose original we know to have proceeded from idolatry, and which we condemn as pernicious allurements unto sin. Sixthly, St. Cyprian, that godly Martyr, Bishop of Carthage, about the year of our Lord 250. informs Gucratius, in an Epistle purposely written to him to this end; that it would not stand with the Majesty of God, nor the discipline of the Gospel, that the chastity and honor of the Church sho • ld be contaminated with so filthy a contagion, as to permit a Stage-player, either to act his Plays, or to train up others for the Stage, though he had given over acting himself. A pregnant evidence, in what terms of opposition the primitive Church and Christians stood wi • h Stage-players, and their filthy Interludes, which they could upon no terms brook. Seventhly, the 3. Council of Carthage, about the year of our Lord 394. Can. 11. which prohibits the sons of Bishops and Clergy men from exhibiting and beholding Stage-plays ; informs us; that all Christians had been always inhibited from resorting to such places where Players and blasphemers came. If all Christians then have always been prohibited from resor • ing unto Stage-plays, as this ancient Council affirms ; it is cer • aine, the primitive Church and Christians did evermore condemn them: and can we yet approve, applaud, frequent them now? Eighthly, St. Chrysostom, about 400 years after Christ, in his 15. Homely to the people of Antioch ; and in his 38. Homely upon Matthew, writes: That all the Christians of Antioch in the time of their fear and danger, had of their own accord shut up the Play-house doors, and stopped up all passages to the Circus running hastily with zeal and earnestness to the Church to praise the Lord, instead of resorting to the Theaters; which as to us, and all good Christians, (in whose person he speaks) lie desolate and ruinated long ago. Ninthly, Saint Augustine about the year of our Lord 410. records: That when the Gospel was spread abroad in the world, Stage-plays and Play-houses, the very caves of filthiness, and professions of wicked persons, went to ruin almost in every Citty, as inconsistent with it; whence the Gentiles complained of the times of Christianity, as evil and unhappy seasons. An apparent demonstration, that the truth and power of Religion, the true Church and servants of Christ were as opposite to Stage-plays, to Theatres in the primitive times, as the Ark to Dagon, Christ to B • lial: and shall we now yoke them both together? Lastly, St. Bernard, about the year of our Lord 1130. instructs us: That all the faithful soldiers of Jesus Christ abominate and reject all dicing, all stage-players, south-sayers, tellers of fables, all scurrilous songs and stage-plays, as vanities, and false frenzies. Neither delight they in the ravenous sport of hawking. They cut their hair and wear it short, knowing according to the Apostle, that it is a shame for a man to nourish his hair. All which concurring testimonies infallibly clear this undoubted truth: That the whole primitive Church and all godly Christians that lived in it, have unanimously, constantly and professedly with greatest detestation, abominated, renounced and condemned Stage-plays. For the further manifestation of which; I shall desire you to consider but these particulars more. First, that the Scriptures both Canonical and Apochryphall, together with the Apostles, the Whole Nation of the Jews, the Sain • s and Church of God both before and under the Law, rejected and abandoned Stage-plays, as I have largely proved in the precedent Scene: therefore the primitive Church and Christians under the Gospel, could not but censure and oppugn them too. Secondly, the most, the chiefest Fathers and Councils in the primitive Church have abundantly, unanimously, professedly condemned Stage-plays, in the highest strain of opposition; as the premises, and two next ensuing Scenes will manifest: the primitive Church and Christians therefore did undoubtedly condemn, reject them; whose judgment remains upon record to all posterity in the laborious writings of these Fathers, and in the Canons of these most famous Councils. Thirdly, the primitive Church under the Gospel, as sundry Councils, Fathers, and others testify, excommunicated all Stage-players, all Play-haunters; thrusting them out both from the Church, the Sacraments, and all Christians society, as • oysome, putred, contagious, unworthy graceless persons, till they had utterly abjured Stage-plays, and solemnly protested to return unto them no more: this therefore is infallible, that they rejected Stage-plays. Fourthly, If any Pagan who was a professed Stage-player or Play-haunter, desired to turn Christian, he was first to renounce his art of Stage-playing, and to abandon all resort to Plays, before he could be baptized or admitted into the Church, as the marginal authorities fully evidence: This therefore is an unfallible evidence, that the prim • tive Church and Christians abominated Stage-plays. Lastly, every Christian that was baptized in the primitive Church, did solemnly renounce all Stage-plays, dancing, with such like sports and spectacles, as the very works and pomps of the Devil, under which all Stage-plays, Spectacles and dancing are included, as Clemens Romanus, Tertullian, Cyril of Jerusalem, St. Augustine, Chrysostom, Salvian, Isiodor Hilpalensis, HRabanus Maurus, and other Fathers expressly testify, in their forequoted places: to which I shall here annex some other testimonies to make the point more plain; that Stage-plays, and dancing are those very pomps of the Devil, which Christians in the primitive Church, (and We now as well as they) renounce in baptism, however we most perjuriously reassume them, against our sacred vows. St. Cyprian in his Book De Spectaculis, is most punctual to this purpose; where thus he writes: He impudently exorciseth the Devil in the Church, whose pleasures he commends in Stage-plays; and when as by renouncing him once in baptism, all his pomp and furniture is lopped off; whiles that after this profession of Christ he goeth to the spectacles of the Devil, he renounceth even Christ himself as a Devil. Which dreadful sentence, together with that of Isiodor Hispalensis formerly quoted: ( That he who after baptism agreeth either to act or see a Stage-play, denieth God, and becomes a praevaricator of the Christian faith; since he again desires that which he had long since renounced in his baptism; to wit, the Devil, his Pompes and Works: which is likewise seconded by HRabanus Maurus de Vniverso l. 20. c. 38) me thinks should shake the very heart and reins of every Play-haunter, and make his very soul to weep even tears of blood. Justinian, that godly Christian Emperor, Codicis lib. 1. Tit. 4. De Episcopali Audientia, Lex 35. expressly informs us: That Stage-plays, Cirque-plays, Dicing, and such like Spectacles are not the least part of that worship, of those pomps of the Devil which Christians renounce in baptism, when they are first initiated and admitted to the sacred Mysteries: whence he prohibits all Christians, especially all Clergy men, either to act, or behold such Enterl • des and Spectacles as these, or to pollute their hands, their eyes and ears with such damned and prohibited Plays. St. Chrysostom, as in sundry places before quoted; so in his 21. Homely to the people of Antioch, and his 69. Homely upon Matthew, he stiles stage-plays, cirque-plays, and dancing, the Devils Pompes and Lectures: his words in the first of these places are remarkable. Remember (saith he) this speech which thou hast uttered when as thou wast baptized, I renounce thee Satan, thy Pompes, and thy service: say always, I renounce thee Satan. Nothing will be safer than this speech, if we express it by our works. For this speech is a confederation with the Lord. And as we when we buy servants, demand of them first, whether they will serve us yea or no: even so doth Christ, when as he ought to receive thy service, he first demands of thee, whether thou wilt first forsake that merciless and cruel tyrant, and then he receives thee into covenant: for his dominion is not forced. And though he hath redeemed us wretched and ungrateful servants with such a price, the greatness whereof the reason and mind of man is not able to comprehend; even with his own most precious blood: yet after all this he exacts no witnesses nor writings from us, but is contended with a word alone: and if thou sayest from thy heart; I renounce thee Satan, and thy pomp, he hath received all he doth require. Let us say this, I renounce thee Satan: and let us keep this promise, as those who are to give an account of it at the last day, that we may then restore the pledge safe. Now the Devils pomp, are theatres, stage-plays, cirque-plays, costly and gorgeous apparel, praesages, omens, and every sin. To preserve thee therefore from these pomps, and every other sin: when thou art going out of thy door, utter this speech first; I renounce thee Satan, and I am united to thee ô Christ: Never go thou abroad without this speech: this will be a staff, this will be armor and an impregnable tower to thee, so that neither man nor Devil shall be able to hurt thee, when they shall see thee appearing everywhere furnished with these weapons. St. Augustine, as in his fore-alleged place, so in his second Book De Symbolo ad Catechumenos, cap. 1 • & 2. He informs us: That stage-plays, cirque-plays, and such like spectacles, are the pomps of the Devil, which God hath enjoined us to renounce: Fly stage-plays therefore (saith he) ô my beloved, avoid these most filthy dens of the Devil, lest the snares of the wicked one hold you captive. Alchuvinus, a famous English Divine, flourishing about the year of our Lord 790. in his Epistle, De Caeremonijs Baptismi, writing of that renouncing which we make in baptism; wherein we renounce the Devil with all his works • and all his pomps ; informs us: That these pomps of the Devil, are vain boasting, loud-sounding Music, in which Christian vigor is ofttimes remitted and effeminated, filthy Stage-plays, with all superfluous things. Thomas Waldensis, a famous Popish English Writer, assures us: that the pomps of the Devil which we renounce in baptism, before we are united to the fabric of the Church, are unlawful desires, which defile, but not adorn the soul; as the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eye, with the ambition or ostentation of the world, belonging to the lust of the eyes; as vain Stage-plays, foolish pride, and the pleasures of this evil world. To these I might add Gulielmus Parisiensis, Alexander Fabritius, the Waldenses, Honorius Augustodunensis, with sundry other moderne Authors, who make Stage-plays, dancing, and such other spectacles, to be the chiefest pomps of the Devil which we renounce in baptism: but I shall conclude with that of Baronius and Spondanus his Epitomizer, who inform us: That among the primitive Christians in the solemn time of baptism, when as they all made public renunciations; it was the custom of the French Church, for Christians particularly to renounce all Stageplayes, as Salvian testifieth: and under the pomps of the Devil, which it was then (and now) the custom for Christians at their baptism to renounce; St. Cyril teacheth us in another place, that all Stage-plays were esteemed to be comprised, and so ALL OTHERS DOE INTERPRET. So that by the resolution both of the primitive Church & Fathers, and of ALL OTHER INTERPRETERS SINCE, if Baronius or Spondanus may be credited: Stage-plays are the very Pompes of the Devil which we most solemnly abjure and protest against in our baptism, upon our very first admittance into the Church of Christ. And certainly they must needs be so. For if Pompa, in its genuine interpretation, signify naught else (as Calepine, Eliot, Holioke, and other Distionaries teach us) but Spectaculum, to wit, a Spectacle, Stage-play, or glorious gaudy show; in which sense this word is oft times used, both by Clemens Alexandrinus, Cyprian, Arnobius, Lactantius, M • nucius Felix, Tertullian, Nazienzen, Chrysostom, Augustine, Salvian, Apuleius, Prudentius, and other ancient Christian Writers ; and likewise by Zenophon, Cicero, Seneca, Livy, Dionysius Hallicarnasseus, Ovid, Plutarch, Suetonius, Plautus, Athenaeus, Diodorus Siculus, Macrobius, Herodian, with divers other Heathen Authors, to which many moderne Writers might be added: who comprehend all Plays and Spectacles, under the name of Pompes: And if Stage-plays were originally invented by, and consecrated unto Devils, on whose festivals they were always solemnly acted in greatest pomp and state ; as all these Authors, and the premises largely testify: then questionless the very Pompes of the Devil which we renounce in baptism, can be no other but Stage-plays, with such other Spectacles, Shewes and Pastimes, which the idolatrous Pagans used in the solemnities and worship of their Devil God's: and so the primitive Church and Christians always took them. If then the primitive Church, and Saints of God, (who to show their greater detestation to Stage-plays, disabled all those who did but marry women-Actors or Play-haunters, from taking holy Orders, or any Ecclesiastical preferments whatsoever ) thus solemnly abominated and renounced Stage-plays in their Baptism, as the very Pompes and pastimes of the Devil; it is most undeniably certain, that they reprobated and condemned Stage-plays in the very highest degree. And to put this out of all further question; we have the Century-Writers, in the behalf of Protestants, and Cardinal Baronius and Spondanus, in the behoove of the Papists, upon the serious perusal of all the several records, and Writers of the primitive Church, proclaiming this as an indubitable truth; That all the Christians, Fathers and Councils in the primitive Church, have wholly abandoned, yea utterly condemned Stage-plays, as diabolical, heathenish. unchristian Spectacles; excommunicating all Players, all Play-haunters both from the Church, the Sacraments, and the society of Christians, till they had abjured, renounced these lewd accursed Interludes, which they did most detest. And shall we then who profess ourselves the undoubted progeny, followers, successors of the primitive Churches, Saints and Christians, so far degenerate from their piety, purity, zeal and Christian discipline; as not only to tolerate, but even patronize, admire, honor Players, Play-Poets, Theaters, Stage-plays • which they so severely censured, so diligently suppressed? and which is worse, to hate, abominate, revile, condemn, and ignominiously traduce all such for Puritans, Praecisians, Humorists, Cynnicks, Novellers, Factionists, & I know not what besides; (an apparent argument of their grace and goodness when such vicious persons thus revile them) who either write or speak against them, or out of piety and conscience resort not daily to them? Alas, where is our Christianity, our piety, our godly discipline; where is our claim, our title, our conformity to the primitive Church: where our affinity, our cognation to the primitive Christians, whose children, successors and disciples we profess ourselves, whiles that we thus tolerate, harbor, justify these Diabolical Pompes and Spectacles, which they so seriously renounced as extremely opposite to, as inconsisted with the very practice and profession of a Christian, and thus causelessly revile all those who speak or write against them? When we shall all appear before the dreadful tribunal of our most holy Savior, as we shall do • re long: and when we shall there behold those blessed Patriarchs, Apostles, Fathers, Bishops, Saints and holy Martyrs in the prim • tive Church, who have so zealously anathematized, renounced Stage-plays, as the very Pompes of the Devil, which they and we have solemnly abjured in our baptism; passing an eternal doom of condemnation on us for our perfidious resort unto them, against our sacred vow; alas, what can we plead to justify, to extenuate this our fact, or to entitle ourselves to the triumphant Church in heaven, whose discipline we thus reject on earth? Can we allege for ourselves, that we are pious Christians, when as our daily Play-house-haunting proclaims us worse than Pagans? or can we plead we are members of the holy Catholic Church of Christ, when as our frequent presence at Plays, at Play-houses, and the diametrall contrariety of our lives, our actions to all the primitive Christians, proves us the very limbs, the bondslaves of the Devil? Certainly we must needs stand silenced, amazed, confounded, condemned then, for justifying, for frequenting Stage-plays now, against the unanimous execration, vote and sentence of the whole primitive Church and Saints of God, both under the Law and Gospel: who as they shall judge and doom us at the last, so they must needs abominate and condemn us now. O therefore let no Christian now be so impiously shameless, so peevishly absurd, as to apologize for Plays or Players, (by pen, by tongue or practice,) as tolerable, as useful among Christians; or ignorantly, much less maliciously (out of an implacable detestation to all grace, all goodness) to condemn all such for Puritans, Novellers, or factious Male-contents ; the common voice and clamour of our dissolute graceless times, wherein many turn professed Atheists, or incarnate Devils, to avoid the jealousy of being reputed Puritans: But since the whole Catholic Church both before and under the Law and Gospel, with all the primitive Christians, Fathers, Councils, of all Nations, all places, have thus unanimously proclaimed an everlasting professed hostility, and passed such a final doom and execration against Players and Stage-plays; let this eternally convince our conscience, close up our mouths, alter our resolutions, reform our Play-haunting lives, & cause us readily to subscribe to this 47. Play-confounding Argument, against which there can be no resistance, with which I shall conclude this Scene.
That which the whole Church of God, both before and under the Law and Gospel, together with all the Jews and faithful Saints before, and primitive Christians in & since our Savior's time, have professedly abominated, rejected, condemned in the very highest degree, even as the very works and Pomps of the Devil, must undovbtedly be extremely sinful and utterly unlawful unto Christians: as is evident by 1 Cor. 10.32. Phil. 4.8. • om. 12.16, 17. 1 Cor. 1.10. cap. 14.23, 24, 25, 32 : with sundry other Scriptures.
But the whole primitive Church of God, both before and under the Law and Gospel, together with all the Jews and faithful Saints before, and primitive Christians in and since our Savior's time, have professedly abominated, rejected, condemned Stage-plays in the very highest degree, even as the very works and pomps of the Devil; as is evident by the premises.
Therefore they must undoubtedly be extremely sinful and utterly unlawful unto Christians.
Let us therefore henceforth walk in the way of these good men, and keep the paths of the righteous: becoming followers of these blessed primitive Christians, as well in renouncing Stage-plays as in points of faith.
SCENA TERTIA.
[ 3] THe third Squadron of Authorities, is made up of 54 ancient and moderne, general, national, provincial Councils and Synods, both of the West and Eastern Churches: of divers Ecclesiastical and imperial Constitutions, which either expressly or by way of necessary consequence prohibit Stage-plays; excommunicating and censuring all Stage-pla • ers, all Play-haunters; and inhibiting all manner of Christians, (especially Clergy men) to act any theatrical Interludes, or to be present at them, under severe penalties. To begin with Councils and Synods; I shall here enumerate them in their Order, according to their several antiquities, without any variation from their Latin names, which I shall still retain for greater certainty, since I find them variously englished: setting down their several Canons both in Latin & English for the Readers better satisfaction; inserting likewise here and there some other Canons not altogether impertinent to this Discourse.
The first Council against Stage-plays, Players and [ 1] Play-haunters, is, Concilium Eliberinum in Spain, about the year of our Lord 305, consisting of 19. Bishops: Where I find these three subsequent Canons most pertinent to our purpose: viz • Canon: 57.62.67.
Canon: 57. Matronae, vel earum mariti, vestimenta sua ad ornandam seculariter pompam non dent. Et si fecerint, triennij tempore abstineant.
Canon: 62. Si Augur aut Pantomimi credere voluerunt, placuit, ut prius artibus suis renuncient, et tunc demum suscipiantur, ita ut ulterius non revertantur. Quod si facere contra interdictum tentaverint, projiciantur ab Ecclesia.
Canon: 67. Prohibendum, ne qua • idelis vel catechumena, aut Comicos, aut viros scenicos habeat; quaecumque haec fecerit, à communion a • ceatur.
Can: 57. Matrons, or their husbands may not give (or lend) their garments, to adorn any secular Plays or shows: If they do, let thē be excommunicated for 3 years.
Can: 62. If any Soothsayer or Stage-player will believe, we ordain, that they first renounce their Arts, & then after a while they may be received, so that they return unto them no more. But if they shall attempt to do contrary to this injunction, let them be cast out by the Church.
Can: 67. We prohibit, that no believing woman or catechumenist entertain or marry any Comedians or stage-players; whoever shall do it, let her be excommunicated.
A sufficient evidence, how execrably detestable all Stage-players and Play-patrons, together with their Stage-plays were unto the primitive Church and Christians, who would neither admit them into the Church, nor permit them to continue in the Church being admitted, till they had utterly renounced Stage-plays; the very lending of clo • hes to act Stage-plays in, and the very marrying with, or harbouring of a Stage-player incurring three years excommunication both from the Church, the Sacraments, and the very society of Christians.
[ 2] The second Council, is Concilium Arelatense 1. held under Constantine the Great, in the Citty of Narbo in France, about the year of Christ 314, consisting of 600 Bishops, as Ado Viennensis informs us: where I find this Canon against Stage-players, entitled De his qui convenient in Theatris: and so by consequence against Stage-plays too.
Canon: 5. De Thea tricis, et ipsos placuit, qu • mdiu agunt, a communion separari.
Can: 5. Concerning stage-players, we have thought meet to excommunicate them, as long as they continue to act.
[ 3] The third, is, Concilium Arelatense 2. about the year of our Lord 325. at which there were present some 38 Bishops, and some 50 Elders and Deacons: where this Canon was promulgated.
Canon: 20. De agitatoribus sive theatricis, qui fideles sunt, placuit, eos, quàmdiu agu • t, a communion separari.
Can: 20. Concerning Actors or Stage-players, who are Christians, we decree them to be excommunicated as long as they persevere to Play.
The fourth, is, Concilium Laodicenum, in Phrygia [ 4] Pacatiana, about the year of our Lord 364. as some a •• irme, others placing it sooner, others later; at which most of the Bishops in Asia were present: where I meet with these two Canons, against Dancing and Stage-plays.
Can: 53. Non oportet Christianos ad nuptias euntes vel balare vel saltare; sed caste cae • are vel prandere, sicut competit Christianis.
Can: 53. Christians going to weddings ought neithe • wantonly to sing, nor yet to dance; but to sup or dine soberly as becometh Christians.
Which Canon extending principally to dancing, is ratified and revived by Concilium Ilerdense Can. ult: which hath this title: Vt in Christianorum nuptijs non saltetur.
Canon: 54. Non oportet Ministros Altaris, vel quoslibet Clericos spectaculis aliquibus quae aut in nuptijs, aut in scenis exhibentur, interesse: sed antequam thylemici ingrediantur, surgere eos, et de convivio abire.
Can: 54. Ministers of the Altar, or any other Clergy men, ought not to be present at any stage-plays that are acted either at marriages or in play-houses: but before the Players or F • dlers enter, they ought to arise, and depart from the feast.
Which latter Canon though it extends only to Clergy men in words, yet the equity of it reacheth indifferently to all Christians, as the former Canon doth in positive terms.
The fifth, is, Concilium Hipponense, Anno 393. wherethere [ 5] were divers Bishops: in which there were two Canons made against Stage-plays and Actors; to wit, Canon : 13. & 35. being the very same with the 11. & 35. Canons of the 3. Council of Carthage next ensuing, to which I shall refer you: wherein all the Canons of this Council of Hippo were abbreviated and confirmed.
The sixth is, Concilium Carthaginense in Africa, [ 6] about the year of our Lord 397, or 399: consisting of 44 Bishops, of which St. Augustine, then Bishop of Hippo, was one: where these two Canons were composed out of the 13. and 35. Canons of the forementioned Council of Hippo.
Canon • 11. Vt filij Episcoporum vel Clericorum, spectacula secularia non exhibeant, sed nec spectent, quando quidem ab spectaculo et omnes Laici prohihibeantur. Semper enim Christianis omnibus hoc interdictum est, ut ubi blasphemi sunt, non accedant.
Canon: 35. Vt scenicis atque histrionibus, caeterisque huiusmodi personis vel apostaticis, conversis vel reversis ad Dominum gratia vel reconciliatio non negetur.
Can: 11. That the sons of Bishops and Clergy men shall neither exhibit, nor yet so much as behold any secular Interludes, since that even all Lay-men are prohibited from stage-plays. For this hath always been straitly forbidden all Christians, that they come not where blasphemers are.
Can: 35. That grace or reconciliation shall not be denied to Stage-players and Actors, and such like persons, or to apostates, who shall convert, and return again to the Lord.
Which Canon admits Stage-players into the Church upon their conversion and renouncing of their ungodly profession, but not before.
[ 7] The seventh, is, Concilium Carthaginense 4. Anno Christi 4 • 1 • at which 214 Bishops were present: Which as it makes all flattering, all scurrilous Clergy men, who delight in filthy jests, or sing or dance publicly at any feasts, liable to a final degradation: (See Can: 56.60 62,); So it provides thus against Plays, and Play-haunting.
Canon: 86. Neophyti à • autioribus epulis et spectaculis abstineant.
Canon: 88. Qui die solenni, praetermisso • olenni Ecclesiae conventu, ad spectacula vadit, excommunicetur.
Can: 86. Those who are newly baptized or converted to the faith ought to abstain from costlier feasts and stage-plays.
Can: 88. He who upon any solemn feast-day, omitting the solemn assembly of the Church, resorts to stage-plays, let him be excommunicated.
Stage-plays then in this Councils judgment are no meet pastimes for any solemn Christian festivals.
The eighth, is, Concilium Africanum, Anno Christi [ 8] 408: to which 238 Bishops subscribed their names, St. Augustine being one of that great number: where I find these several Canons to our purpose.
Can: 12. Vt Scenicis atque Histrionibus ( id est conversis vel • eversis ad Dominum ) caeteris{que} hujusmodi personis, reconciliatio non-negetur.
Canon: 27. • llud etiam petendum, ut quae contra praecepta divina convivia multis in locis exercentur quae ab error gentili attracta sunt, vetari talia jubeant, et de civitatibus, et de possessionibus, imposita paena, prohiberi: maxim, cùm etiam in natalibus beatissimorum martyrum per nonnullas civitates, et in ipsis locis sacris talia cōmittere non reformident. Quibus diebus etiam (quod pudoris est dicere) saltationes sceleratissimas per vicos atque plateas exercent, ut matronalis honor et in •• merabilium faeminatū pudor, devote venientium ad sacratissimum diem, injurijs lascivie • tibus appetatur, ut etiàm ipsius sanctae religions pene fugiatur accessus.
Canon: 28. Necnon et illud petendum, ut spectacula theatrorum caeterorum{que} ludorum die Dominico, vel caeteris Christianae religions diebus celeberrimis amoveantur; maxim quia sancti Paschae octavarum die, populi ad Circum magis quàm ad Ecclesiā convenient; et debere transferri devotionis eorum dies si quando occurrent: nec oportere etiam quenquam Christianorum, cogi ad haec spectacula: maxim, quia in his exercendis QVAE CONTRA PRAECEPTA DEI SVNT, nulla persecutionis necessitas à quoquam adhibenda est: sed (uti oportet) homo in libera voluntate subsistat sibi concessa. Cooperatorum enim maxim periculum considerandū est, QVI CONTRA PRAECEPTA DEI MAGNO TERRORE COGVNTVR AD HAEC SPECTACVLA CONVENIRE.
Can: 12. That reconciliatiation shall not be denied to Stage-players and common Actours, and such like persons; in case they repent and abandon their former professions.
Can: 27. That also is to be desired, that those feasts which are used in many places contrary to God's precepts, which were drawn from the error of the Gentiles, should be prohihited by command, and excluded out of cities and villages: especially, since in some cities men fear not to keep them even on the birth-days of the most blessed Martyrs, and that in the very Churches. On which days also (which is a shame to speak) they use most wicked dances through the villages and streets, so that the matronall honor, and the chastity, the modesty of innumerable women devoutly coming to the most holy day, is assaulted with lascivious injuries in such manner, that even th • very access to the holy exercises of religion is almost discontinued and chased away.
Can: 28. And this also is to be requested, that Stage-plays and such other Plays and Spectacles should be wholly abandoned and laid aside on the LORD'S day, and other solemn Christian festivals, especially because on the Easter holy-days people run more to the Cirque or Theatre, than to the Church; laying aside all their holy-day devotion, when these Spectacles come in their way: Neither ought any Christian to be compelled to these Interludes or Stage-plays: chiefly, because in practicing these things WHICH ARE AGAINST THE COMMANDEMENTS OF GOD, no necessity of persecution or violence ought to be used by any man: but every man (as he ought) may abide in that freedom of will which is granted to him. For the danger of the co-actours ought principally to be considered, WHO AGAINST THE PRECEPTS OF GOD ARE COMPELLED TO COME VNTO THESE STAGE-PLAYES.
Stage-plays therefore by this whole Councils resolution, are no fit sports for Lord's-days and holy-days: yea they, and the re • ort unto them, • re directly contrary to the commandments of God, and exceeding dangerous to those men's souls, who allure or enforce any others to them.
Canon: 30. Et de his etiam petendum, ut si quis ex qualibet ludicra art ad Christianitatis gratiam venire voluerit, ac liber ab illa macula permanere, non eum liceat à quoquam iterum ad eadem exercenda reduci vel cogi.
Canon: 96. Item placuit, ut omnes infamiae maculis adspersi, id est, histriones ac turpitudinibus subjecti personae, ad accusationem non admittantur, nisi in propriis causis.
Can: 30. And this also is to be desired, that if any man of any ludicrous are whatsoever will come and turn a Christian, and continue free from that pollution; that he ought not to be reduced or compelled by any man to practice the same arts again.
Can: 96. Also, it is decreed, that all infamous persons, that is to say, Stage-players & persons inthralled to filthiness or lewdness, shall not be admitted to accuse any person, but in their proper causes.
The ninth, is Concilium Carthaginense 7 of 38 Bishops, [ 9] about the year of our Lord 419. Canon 2. whereby all Stage-players are declared to be infamous persons, and unable to bear any testimony. Which Canon is verbatim the same with the 96 Canon of the Council of Afric here recited, to which shall here refer you.
The tenth, is, Concilium Agathense, in France, [ 10] Anno Domini 506. there being 35 Bishops present at it: where this Canon was promulgated.
Canon: 39. Presbyteri, Diacones, Subdiacones, etiam alienarum nuptiarum evitent convivia: Ne • his caetibus immisceantur ubi amatoria cantantur et turpia, aut obscaeni motus corporum choreis et saltationibus efferuntur, ne auditus et obtutus sacris mysterijs deputati, turpium spectaculorum at{que} verborū contagione polluantur.
Can: 39. Presbyters, Deacons and Subdeacons, ought to avoid the marriage feasts of other persons: Neither may they be present in these assemblies where amorous and filthy things are sung, or where obscene motions of the body are expressed in rounds or dances: lest the hearing and sight deputed unto the holy mysteries should be defiled with the contagion of filthy Spectacles (or Stage-plays,) and words.
Which Council • as it prohibits Clergy men from beholding Plays or dancing: so it also inhibits them from drunkenness: from keeping either hawks or hounds: and from all scurrilous mirth or jesting, under pain of excommunication and suspension.
[ 11] The eleventh, is, Concilium Arelatense 3. in the year of our Savior 524. subscribed by 15 Bishops; where Ludi funebres, or funeral Plays (which were frequent among the ancient Romans ) are thus condemned; the reason of which condemnation trencheth upon Stage-plays.
Laici, qui excubias funeris observant, cum timore et tremore, et reverentia hoc faciant. Nullus ibi diabolica carmina presumat cantare, nec joca, nec saltationes facere, quae Pagani docente Diabolo adinvenerunt. Quis enim nesciat diabolicum esse, et non solùm a Christiana religione alienum, sed etiam humanae naturae esse contrarium, ibi laetari, cantare, inebriari, et cachinnis ora dissolvi, et omni pietate et affectu charitatis postposito, quasi de fraterna morte exultare, ubi luctus et planctus slebilibus vocibus debuerat resonare, pro amissione chari fratris, &c. Ideo talis inepta laetitia, et pestifera cantica ex authoritate interdicta sunt. Si quis autem cantare desiderat, Kyrie eleison cantet: si autem aliter, omnino taceat. Si autem tacere non vult, in crastino à Presbytero taliter coërceatur, ut alij timeant.
Lay men who observe funeral watches, let them do it with fear and trembling, and reverence. Let no man presume to sing there any diabolical songs, nor to make any Pastimes, Plays or dances, which the Pagans have invented by the Devils tutorship. For who knoweth not that it is diabolical, and not only far from Christian religion, but even contrary to human nature, to rejoice, to sing, to be drunk, and to laugh excessively there, and laying aside all piety, and affection of love, as it were to be glad of his brothers death, even there where as sorrow and mourning with doleful sounds ought to be heard for the loss of a dear brother, &c. Therefore such foolish mirth, and pestiferous songs ought to be prohibited by authority. And if any man desire to sing, let him sing, Lord have mercy upon me: but if he would sing otherwise, let him hold his peace. But if he will not be silent, let him the next day be so chastised by the Presbyter, that others may fear.
The twelfth is, Concilium Veneticum, about the year [ 12] of our Lord 526. consisting of 8 Bishops, wherein the forementioned 39 Canon of Concilium Agathense, (see pag. 578.) is verbatim recited, and ratified, as the 11. Canon of this Council.
The thirteenth, is, Concilium Toletanum 3. in Spain, [ 13] Anno 617. subscribed by 72 Bishops, where I find this Canon registered, which though it principally aims at dancing and filthy rib • ldry songs, yet it necessarily condemneth Stage-plays too, which consist of scurrilous songs and dancing, as I have largely proved in the premises.
Canon: 23. Exterminanda omnino est irreligiosa consuetudo, quam vulgus per sa • ctorum solennitates agere consuevit. Populi, qui debent officia divina attendere, saltationibus et turpious invigilant can • icis, non solum sibi nocentes, sed et religiosorum ossicijs. Hoc etenim ut ab omni Hispania depellatur, sacerdotum et judicum à concilio sancto curae cōmittitur.
Can: 23. That irreligious custom is altogether to be abandoned, which the common people have used upon the festivals of the Saints: The people who ought to attend divine offices, addict themselves wholly to dancing and filthy songs, not only doing hurt to themselves, but to the offices of religious persons. That this custom may be driven out of all Spain, it is committed to the care of the Ministers and Judges by this sacred Council.
Which Canon was ratified by the public Edict of King Reccaredus, who punished the breach of it in rich men, with the l • sse of the moity of their estates; and the violation of it in the paorer sort, with perpetual exile.
[ 14] The fourteenth, is, Concilium Antisiodorense, in France, Anno 614. subscribed by 45 Bishops, Abbots and Presbyters: wherein there are these several Canons applicable to our present theme: the first of which expressly condemns the Pagan o • iginall of Plays; the second the acting of them in Churches, which the Papists used: the third, the acting or beholding of them by Cl • rgie men.
Canon: 1. Non licet Kalendis Ianuarij vecola aut cervolo facere, vel strenas diabolicas observare: sed in ipsa die sic omnia officia tribuantur, sicut et reliquis diebus.
Canon: 9. Non licet in Ecclesia choros secularium vel puellarum cantica exercere, nec convivia praeparare; quia scriptum est, Domus mea domus orationis vocabitur.
Canon : 40. Non licet Presbytero inter epulas cantare vel saltare.
Can: 1. It is not lawful in the Kalends of January to make any bonfires or filthy Plays; or to observe any diabolical New-years gifts: but let all offices be so performed on this day, as they are upon other days.
Can. 9. It is not lawful for Quires of secular men or girls, to sing songs, or provide banquets in the Church: for it is written, My house shall be called an house of prayer.
Can. 40. It is not lawful for an Elder to sing or dance at feasts.
The fifteenth, is, Capitula Graecarum Synodorum, [ 15] collected by Martin Bishop of Bracara, Anno Dom: 610. in which we have these two Canons.
Canon: 59. Non licet sacerdotibus vel clericis aliqua spectacula in nuptijs, vel in co • vivijs spectare, sed oporteat antequam ingrediuntur ipsa spectacula surgere et redire inde.
Canon : 73. Non liceat iniquas observationes agere Kalendarum, et ocijs vacare gentilibus • neque lauro aut viriditate arborum cingere domos: Omnis enim haec observatio Paganismi est.
Can. 59. It is not lawful for Ministers or Clergy men to behold any Stage-plays at marriages or feasts, but they ought to rise and return from thence before the Stage-plays enter.
Can. 73. It is not lawful to keep the wicked observations of Kalends, nor to observe the festivals of the Gentiles; nor yet to begirt or adorn houses with laurel or green • oughes: For all this practice savors of Paganism.
Which latter Canon comes home to Stage-plays, who had their original from Paganism, as I have largely proved, as well as this condemned custom.
The sixteenth Play-condemning Council, is, the sixth [ 16] Council of Constantinople, Anno Domini 680. which Council consisting of 289 Bishops, is confessed both by Protestants, and Papists • to be ecumenical; and so the Canons of it (especially in point of discipline) oblige all Christians to renounce all Stage-plays, all Stage-players, which they have much condemned, as these ensuing Canons witness.
Canon: 24. Ne cui liceat eorum, qui in sacerdo • ali ordine enumerantur, vel monachorum, in equorū curriculis subsistere, vel scenicos ludos sustinere. Sed etsi quis Clericus ad nuptias vocetur, quando ad deceptionē comparata ludicra ingressa fuerint, surgat et discedat, Patrum nostrorum sic jubente doctrina. Si quis autem ejus rei convictus fuerit, vel cesset, vel deponatur.
Can: 51. is most express in point. Omnino prohibit haec sancta, et universalis Synodus eos qui dicuntur Mimos et eorum spectacula: deinde venationum quoque spectationes, ease{que} quae • iunt in scena, saltationes perfici. Si quis autem praesentem Canonem contempserit, et se alicui eorum quae sunt vetita dederit; si sit quidem Clericus, deponatur; si vero Laicus, segregetu • .
Canon: 61. Eos quoque sexennij canoni subjici oportet, qui ursos, vel ejusmodi animalia ad ludum et simpliciorum noxum circumferunt; ac fortunam, ac fatū, et genealogiā, et quorundam ejusmodi verborum multitudinem ex fallaciae imposturae{que} nugis proferunt; eos{que} qui impraecatores, remediorumque amuletorumque praebitores et vates appellantur. Eos autem qui in ijs persistunt, et non ab ejusmodi perniciosis gentilibus{que} studijs aversantur et aufugiunt, Ecclesia omnino exturbandos decrevimus, sicut et • acri Canones dicunt. Quae enim est luci cum tenebris communicatio, ut ait Apostolus? vel quae templ • Dei cum Idolis consentio? vel quae fideli cū infideli pars est? • quae autē Christo cum Belial concordia et consentio?
Canon: 62. Kalendas quae dicuntur, et vot • brumalia quae vocantur, et qui in primo Martij mensis die fitconventus, ex fidelium civitate omnino tolli volumus: sed et publicas mulierū saltationes, multam noxam, exitium{que} afferentes: quin etiàm ease, quae nomine eorum qui falso apud Graecos dij nominati sunt, vel nomine virorū ac mulierum fiunt saltationes ac mysteria more antiquo et à vita Christianorum alieno, amandamus et expellimus: statuentes ut nullus deinceps mulieb • i vest ind • atur, vel mulier vest viro conveniente. Sed neque comicas, vel satyricas vel tragicas personas induat, neque execrandi Bacchi nomen, uvam in torcularibus exprimentes, invocent; neque vinum in dolijs effundentes, risum moveant, ignorantia vel vanitate ea quae à daemonis impostura procedunt exercentes. Eos ergo qui deinceps aliquid eorum, quae scripta sunt, aggredietur, uti ad horū cognition̄ pervenerint, si sint quidem Clerici, deponi jubemus; si vero Laici, segregari.
Canon: 65. Qui in Nov • lunijs à quibusdam ante suas o • ficinas et domos accenduntur rogos, supra quos etiam antiqua quadam con • uetudine • alire inepte et delire solent, jubemus deinceps cessare. Quisquis ergo tale quid fecerit; si sit Clericus, deponatur; sin autem Laicus, segregetur. In quarto enim Libro Regū scriptū est, Et edificavit Manasseh altare universae militiae caeli in duobus • trijs domus Dei, et filios suos traduxit per ignem, &c. et ambulavit in eo ut faceret malum coram Domino, ut eum ad iram provoca • et.
Canon: 66. A sancta Christi Dei nostri resurrectionis die usque ad novum Dominicum, tota septimana in Ecclesijs vaca • e fideles iugiter oportet psalmis et hymnis et spiritualibus canticis in Christo gaudentes, festum{que} celebrantes • et divinarum Scripturarum lectioni mentem adhibentes, et sanctis mysterijs jucunde et laute fruentes. Sic enim cū Christo exaltabimur, et unà resurgemus. Nequaquam ergo praedictis diebus, equorum cursus, vel aliquod publicū fiat spectaculū. Which if this Council may be credited, are no fit sports for holy times.
Canon: 71. Eos qui docentur leges civiles Graecis moribus uti non oportet; et neque in theatrum induci, nec ease quae dicuntur cylistras peragere &c. Si quis autem deinceps hoc facere ausus fuerit, segregetur.
Canon: 100. Oculi tui recta aspiciant, et omni custodia serva cor tuum, jubet sapientia. Corporis enim sense • s sua facile in animam effundunt. Picturas ergo quae oculos praestringunt, et mentem corrumpunt, et ad turpium voluptatum movent incendia, nullo modo deinceps imprimi jubemus. Si quis autem hoc facere aggressus fuerit, deponatur.
Can. 24. It shall not be lawful for any who are in the order of Priests or Monks, to be present at horse-races, or to act, or see a part in Stage-plays. But if any Clergy man be called to marriages, when these deceitful sports shall enter, let him arise and depart, the doctrine of our Fathers so commanding. If any be convicted of this thing, either let him give over, or let him be deposed. See pag. 575, 576, 578, 581, accordingly.
Can. 51. is most punctual. This sacred and universal Synod doth utterly prohibit those who are called Stage-players and their Interludes; together with the Spectacles of huntings, and those dances that are made upon the Stage. And if any shall contemn this present Canon, and shall give himself to any of these things that are prohibited; if he be a Clergy man, let him be deposed; but if a Lay-man, let him be excommunicated.
Can. 61. Those also ought to be subject to six years excommunication, who carry about bears or such like creatures for sport, to the hurt of simple people; or tell fortunes or fates, and genealogies, and utter a multitude of such like words out of the toys of fallacy and imposture: and those also who are styled charmers, givers of remedies and amulets, and prophets. And those who persist in these things, and are not turned from such pernicious and heathenish practices, or do not shun them; we decree, that they shall wholly be thrust out of the Church, even as the holy Canons affirm. For what communion hath light with darkness, as the Apostle saith? or what agreement hath the temple of God with Idols? or what part hath a believer with an infidel? or what concord or agreement is there between Christ and Belial?
Can. 62. Those things that are called Kalends, and those that are named winter wishes, and that meeting which is made upon the first day of March, we will shall be wholly taken away out of the Citty of the faithful: as also we wholly forbid and expel the public dancing of women bringing much hurt and destruction: and likewise those dances and mysteries that are made in the name of those, who are falsely named God's among the Grecians, or in the name of men and women, after the ancient manner, far differing from the life of Christians: ordaining that no man shall henceforth be clothed in woman's apparel, nor no woman in man's array. Neither may any one put on comical • satyricall or tragical vizards in Interludes, neither may th • y invocate the name of execrable Bacchus, when as they press their grapes in winepresses; neither pouring out wine in tubbes, may they provoke laughter, exercising those things through ignorance or vanity which proceed from the imposture of the Devil. Those therefore who hereafter shall attempt any of these things that are written, after they shall come to the knowledge of them; if they be Clergy men, we command them to be deposed; and if Lay men, to be excommunicated.
Can. 65. Those bonfires that are kindled by certain people on New moons before their shops and houses, over which also they use ridiculously and foolishly to leap by a certain ancient custom, we command them from henceforth to cease. Whoever therefore shall do any such thing; if he be a Clergy man, let him be deposed • if a Lay man, let him be excommunicated. For in the fourth Book of the Kings, it is thus written, And Manasseh built an altar to all the host of heaven, in the two courts of the Lord's house, and made his children to pass through the fire, &c. and walked in it that he might do evil in the sight of the Lord to provoke him to wrath.
Can • 66. From the holy day of Christ our God his resurrection to the new Lord's day, the faithful ( or Christians ) ought to spend the whole week in their Churches, rejoicing without intermission in Christ, in celebrating that feast with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs ( not with dancing, stage-plays, dice, tables, or such like revel-rout ) addicting their minds to the reading of the holy Scriptures, and cheerfully and richly enjoying the holy Sacraments. For thus we shall be exalted with Christ, and rise together with him. By no means therefore on the foresaid days let there be any horse-race, or any public show or stage-play made.
Can: 71. Those who are taught civil laws, ought not to use Greek manners or customs; neither ought they to be brought into the theater, or to practice any plays called Cylistrae. If any man shall presume to do the contrary, let him be excommunicated.
Can: 100. Let thine eyes behold right things, and keep thine heart with diligence, is the command of wisdom. For the senses of the body do easily infuse their objects into the soul. Therefore we command, that such pictures as dazzle the eyes, corrupt the mind, and stir up flames of filthy lusts, be not henceforth made or printed upon any terms. And if any shall attempt to do it, let him be deposed.
Some of these recited Canons, as Canon 61, 65 & 100. condemn all Bearehards, Bearebaiting, Bonefires, and filthy pictures, (which Aristotle himself condemns:) yet withal they oppugn Stage-plays, ex obliquo, there being between them and Plays so great analogy, that the censure of one is the condemnation of the other. But the other Canons are so punctual, so express against them, that there can be no evasion from them.
The seventeenth Synodical authority against Stage-plays, [ 17] is, Synodus Francica, under Pope Zacharias Ann • Dom. 742. which runs thus.
Illas venationes et silvaticas vagationes cū canibus omnibus servis Dei (speaking of Clergy men) interdicimus. Similiter ut accipitres vel falcones non habeant. Decrevimus quo{que} ut secundum Canones unusquis{que} Episcopus in sua parochia solicitudinem adhibeat, adjuvante Graphione, qui defensor Ecclesiae est, ut populus Dei Paganias non faciat, sed ut omnes spurcitīas gentilitatis abjiciat et respuat, sive prophana sacrificia mortuorum, sive sortilegos vel divinos, &c. sive hostias immolatitias, quas stulti homines juxta Ecclesias ritu paganico faciunt, sub nomine sanctorum martyrum vel confessorū, Deū et suos sanctos ad iracundiam et vindictae gravitatē provocantes. Sive illos sacrilegos ignes quos Nedfri vocant, sive omnes quaecumque sunt Paganorū observationes, diligenter prohibeant.
We prohibit those huntings and silvaticall wanderings abroad with bounds to all the servants of God, and likewise that they keep neither hau • es nor falcons. We decree also that according to the Canons. every Bishop in his parish shall take care; the Graphio or Curate, who is defender of the Church, assisting him, that the people of God make no Pagan feasts or Interludes, but that they reject and abominate all the uncleannesses of gentilisme, whether profane sacrifices of the dead, or fortune-tellers, or diviners, &c. or immolated sacrifices, which foolish men make near unto Churches, after the Pagan manner, provoking God and his Saints to wrath, and vengeance. And that they diligently inhibit those sacrilegious fires which they call Ne • fri (or bone • ires) and all other observations of the Pagans whatsoever. Which Canon is likewise ratified in Synodo Suessionensi, sub Childerico Rege, about the self same year wherein this Synod was held.
[ 18] The eighteenth Play-oppugning Council, is, Synodus Nicaena 2. Anno Dom. 785. or 787. in which there were present 350. or 377. Bishops • as some record: which Council (commonly reputed the 7. ecumenical or universal Council) determines thus of Stage-plays.
Canon: 22. Deo quidem universum dedicare et non proprijs voluntatibus servire res magna est. Sive enim editis, sive bibitis, inquit divinus Apostolus, omnia in Dei gloriam facite &c. Cu • vis ergo homini necesse est comedere u • vivat, et quibus est vita quidem matrimonij, e • liberorū, et laici constitutionis, immixtim comedere viros et mulieres est ab omni reprehensione alienum, simodo ei qui dat nutrimentū gratias agunt; non cū scenicis quibusdā studijs, sive sata • icis canticis et citharaedicis ac meretricijs vocibus, quos prophetica execratio prosequitur sic dicēs: Vae qui cū cythara et psalterio vinū bibunt, Domini autē oper • non respiciunt, et opera manui • ejus non consideran • . Et sicubi tales fuerint inter Christianos, corrigantur.
Can: 22. Verily to dedicate all to God, and not to serve our own wills, is a great matter: For whether ye eat or drink (saith the divine Apostle) or whatsoever ye do, do all to the praise and glory of God, &c. It is necessary therefore for every man to eat that he may live; and those who live a married life, and have children, and are of a lay-condition, for them to eat men and women together is far from all reproof, if so be they give thanks to him who giveth food; not with Stage-plays, or certain theatrical practices, or with satanical songs, or citheredicall and meretricious tunes which the prophetical execration pursueth in these words: Woe unto them who drink wine with the harp and viol, but they regard not the work of the Lord, & the operation of his hands they consider not. And if there be any such as these among Christians, let them be severely punished.
Which Canon teacheth us, First, that Stage-plays and ribaldry songs or music, are no fit pastimes for Christians to praise the Lord withal on festival and solemn seasons. Which condemns the atheistical, if not diabolical practice of those heathen Christians, who use them most at such times as these. Secondly, that they are directly contrary to the Scripture, and utterly unlawful, not only to Ministers, but to lay men too. Thirdly, that those Christians who frequent or use them, ought to be • everely punished, by the express resolution of this whole general Council, in which all Christian Churches, were present by their Delegates. [ 19]
The nineteenth is, Synodus Turonensis 3. under Charles the Great, Anno Christi 813. which determines thus of Stage-players and their Interludes, that all Christians should avoid them, as the ensuing Canons testify.
Canon: 7. Ab omnibus quaecūq: ad auriū et ad oculo •• pertinent illicebras, unde vigor animi emolliri posse credatur (quod de aliquibus generibus musicorum, aliis{que} nonnullis rebus sentiri potes • ) Dei sacerdotes abstinere debent: quia per auriū oculorū{que} illicebras vitiorū turba ad animā ingred • solet. Histrionum quo{que} turpiū, et obscaenorum insolentias jocorum, et ipsi omnino effugere, caeterisque effugienda praedicare debent.
Canon: 8. Sacerdotibus non expedit, secularibus et turpibus quibuslibet interesse jocis: venationes quoque ferarum vel avium minime sectentur.
Can: 7. The Ministers of God ought to abstain from all allurements whatsoever, belonging either to the ears or eyes, from whence the vigor of the mind may be thought to be effeminated, (which may be conceived of certain kinds of music, and some other things:) because through the intisements of the eyes and ears, the troop of vices is wont to enter into the soul. They ought likewise wholly to eschew the insolencies of filthy Stage-players, and of obscene jests, and also to preach to others, that they ought to be avoided.
Can: 8. It is not expedient that Ministers should be present at any secular and dishonest Plays or sports; neither may they follow the hunting either of wild beasts or birds.
[ 20] The twentieth, is, Synodus Cabilonensis 2. under Charles the Great, Anno Christi 813. which defines thus of Players and Stage-plays; that not only Clergy men, but even all manner of Christians ought wholly to abandon them: Witness this Canon which is almost the same with the last recited.
Can: 9. Ab omnibus oculorum aurium{que} illecebris sacerdotes abstinere debent, et canum, accipitrum, falconū, vel caeterarū hujusmodi rerū curam parvi pendere; et histrionum sive scurronum, et turpium, seu obscaenorum jocorum insolentiam, non solum ipsi respuant, verum etiàm fidelibus respuenda percenseant.
Can: 9. Ministers ought to abstain from all wanton enticements of the eyes and ears, and to neglect or disregard the care of dogs, hawks, falcons, and such other things: and not only they themselves ought to contemn the insolency of Stage-players, Iesters, and of filthy or obscene jests and pastimes, but likewise to believe and teach, that they ought to be rejected of all faithful Christians.
[ 21] The 21. is, Concilium Moguntiacum under the same Emperor Anno 813. where I find this Canon.
Canon: 14. Ministri autem Altaris Domini, vel monachi, nobis placuit ut à negotijs secularibus omnino abstineant. Multa s • nt secularia negotia &c. videlicet, conductores aut procuratores esse secularium rerū: turpis verbi vel facti joculatorem esse, vel jocum seculare diligere, aleas amare, ornamentū inconveniens proposito suo quaerere, in delicijs vivere velle, gulam et ebrietatē sequi; canes et aves sequi ad venandum. Ecce talia et his similia ( under which all Stage plays are included ) ministris altaris Domini, et monachis omnino cōtradicimus, de quibus dicit Apostolus. Nemo militans Deo, implicat se negotijs secularibus.
Can: 14. We decree that the Ministers of the Lord's Altar & Monks shall altogether abstain from secular affairs. Now there are many secular businesses; as to be hirers or solicitors of secular affairs; to be a jester or actour of filthy words or deeds; or to love a secularjest; to affect dicing; to seek after such attire or ornaments which are inconvenient for his degree, to desire to live in pleasures, to follow hounds and hawks a hunting. Loe these and such like things ( which include all Stage-plays, dancing, and scurrilous songs and music ) we altogether forbid the Ministers of the Lord's Altar, and Monks: of whom the Apostle saith thus. No man that warreth to the Lord entangleth himself in secular affairs.
The 22. is Synodus Rhemensis, under the same Emperor [ 22] Anno Christi 813. concurring with the former.
Canon: 17. Vt Episcopy et Abbates ante se joca turpia facere non permittant, sed paupers et indigentes ad mensam secum habeant • ( which many of them now disdain to speak to, much less to eat with, though Christ commands it ) et lectio divina ibi personet, et sumant cibū cū benedictione et laude Domini secundùm Apostolum; Sive manducatis, sive bibitis • omnia in laudem Dei facit • .
Can: 17. We decree, that Bishops and Abbots permit no secular Plays or jests to be made before them; but let them have the poor and needy with them at their tables: ( which some now scorn as a disparagement to their greatness: ) let the reading of the Scripture sound forth there, and let them eat their meat blessing and lauding the Lord, according to the Apostles rule; Whether ye eat or drink, do all to the praise and glory of God.
[ 23] The 23. is, Concilium Aquisgranense, under Lewis the godly, Anno Christi 816. which concludes thus of Plays, and prohibits all Clergy men especially, from resorting to them.
Canon: 83. Quod non oporteat Sacerdotes aut Clericos quibuscun{que} spectaculis in scenis aut in nuptijs interesse: sed antequā thylemici ingrediantur, exurgere eos cōvenit, aut inde discedere.
Canon: 100. Clericis igitur lege patrū cavetur, ut à vulgari vita seclusi, à mundan • s voluptatibus sese abstineant. Non spectaculis, non pompis intersint.
Canon: 145. Clerici contubernia faeminarum nullatenus appetant; non vanis oculis, aut petulanti tumido{que} gestu, ac dissolutis renibus incedant: non spectaculis, nō pom • pis secularibus intersint: non aleae, non quibuslibet venationibus inserviant: nequaquam praeciosis delectentur vestibus &c. and yet few now so richly, so sprucely appareled as these, who should be patterns of humility and sobriety to others.
Can: 86. Ministers and Clergy men ought not to be present at any Spectacles or Stage-plays either in Play-houses or at marriages: but before the Fiddlers or Players enter, they ought to rise up and depart thence.
Can: 100. It is provided for Clergy men by the law of the Fathers, that being secluded from a vulgar life, they withdraw themselves from worldly pleasures. They may not be present at Stage-plays or shows.
Can: 145. Clergy men may by no means desire the company of women; they may not walk with vain eyes, or with a wanton or proud gesture, or dissolute reins: they may not be present at worldly Spectacles or Interludes: they may not give themselves to dice, or any kind of hunting: they ought not to delight in costly apparel &c. as now too many of them do, who are more like to Courtiers or Knights in their beavers, satins, silks or velvets, then to Ministers.
The 24. is, Concilium Parisiense, under Lewis and [ 24] Lothorius, Anno 829. to the like effect as the former.
Canon: 38. Cùm ab omnibus Christianis, juxta Apostoli documentum, stultiloquium et scurrilitas sit cavenda, multo magis à sacerdotibus Domini, qui alijs exemplum et condimentum salutis esse debent, caveri oportet. Haec quippe à sanctis viris penitus sunt propellenda, quibus magis convenit lugere, quàm ad scurrilitates et stultiloquia, et histrionum obscaenas jocationes et caeteras vanitates, quae animam Christianam a rigor suae rectitudinis emollire solent, in cachinnos ora dissolvere. Neque enim decet aut fas est oculos sacerdotum Domini spectaculis faedari, aut mentem quibuslibet scurrilitatibus, aut turpiloquijs ad inania rapi. Ait quippe Dominus in Evangelio: Omne verbum ociosum, quod loquuti fuerint homines, reddent de eo rationem in die judicij. Paulus ad Ephesos, Omnis, inquit, sermo malus ex ore vestro non procedat, sed si quis, bonus ad aedificationem fidei, ut det gratiam audientibus, et nolite contristare Spiritum sanctum, in quo signati estis in die redemptionis. Et non post multa, Fornicatio autem, inquit, et omnis immunditia, aut avaritia, nec nominetur in vobis, sicut decet sanctis; aut turpitudo, aut stultiloquium, aut scurrilitas, quae ad rem non pertinent; sed magis gratiarum actio. Et Isaiah: Cy • hara et lyra, et tympanum, et tibia, et vinum in convivijs vestris, et opus Domini non respicitis, nec opera manuum ejus consideratis. Sunt et alia hujusce rei innumera exempla, quae prospecta et diligenter animadversa, non solum sacerdotibus, verum etiā caeteris fidelibus magno terrore sint necesse est; ne dum his contra fas se subdūt, animae suae salutē negligant. Proinde nobis omnibus in commune visū fuit, ut si qui sacerdotum hactenus his vanitatibus usi fuerint, ab his deinceps Domino adjuvante, prorsus se cavere debere meminerint.
Can. 38. Since that foolish talking and scurrility, according to the Apostles instruction, ought to be avoided of all Christians, much more ought it to be eschued by the Ministers of the Lord, who ought to be an example, and condiment of salvation unto others. For these things are utterly to be abandoned by holy men, whom it better becomes to mourn, than to laugh immoderately at scurrilities and foolish speeches, and at the obscene jests of Stage-players and other vanities, which are wont to soften a Christian soul from the rigor of its rectitude and uprightness. Neither is it seemly or lawful, that the eyes of the Lord's Ministers should be defiled with Stage-plays, or their minds carried away with any scurrilities or filthy speeches. For the Lord • aith in the Gospel: Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account of it in the day of judgment. Paul to the Ephesians, saith: Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the edification of faith, that it may administer grace to the hearers, and grieve not the holy Spirit by which ye are sealed to the day of redemption. And not much after, he saith: But fornication and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be named among you, as becometh Saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, or scurrility, which are not convenient; but rather giving of thanks. And Isaiah: The harp, and the violl, and the tabret and pipe, and wine are in their feasts, but they regard not the work of the Lord, nor consider the operation of his hands. There are other innumerable examples of this matter, which being seen and diligently considered, must needs bring great terror, not only to Ministers, but also to other Christians; lest whiles they subject themselves to these things against right, they neglect the salvation of their souls. Wherefore it hath seemed good to us all in common, that if any Ministers have hitherto us • d any of these vanities, that from henceforth they remember, that they ought wholly to abstain from these things.
So that not only Clergy men, but even all Christians are prohibited from Stage-plays, under peril of the loss and hazard of their souls, by this Council, which hath doomed Stage-plays to be scurrilous, filthy and unlawful pleasures, contrary to God's word, which defile both the eyes, the ears and souls of the spectators.
The 25. is Synodus Moguntina, sub Rabano Archiepiscopo, [ 25] Anno 847. where I find this Canon against Clergy men's resort to Plays.
Canon: 13. Providendum necessario est, ut Clerici à secularibus negotijs omnino abstineant &c. Multa autem sunt secularia negotia: turpis verbi vel facti joculatorē esse, vel jocum seculare diligere, aleas amare &c. ( as before in Council: Mogunt: can. 21.) Quae omnia Ministris Altaris interdicimus; hortantes eos ante se joca secularia vel turpia fieri non permittere &c.
Can: 13. It is necessarily to be provided, that Clergy men wholly abstain from secular affairs &c. But there are many secular businesses: as to be a jester or actor of any filthy word or deed (as is the Clown in Stage-plays) to love a secular jest, to affect dice-play &c. All which we interdict to Ministers of the Altar; exhorting them not to suffer any worldly or filthy jests or plays to be made before them &c. as in Synodo Rhemensi before • Can. 22.
The 26. is Synodus Constantipolitana 8. Anno [ 26] Christi 867, or 870 as others place it, consisting of 373 Bishops; which is commonly styled, the 8 general Council; wherein the personating of a Bishop (and so by consequence of other persons) is thus severely prohibited.
Canon: 16. Colligere licet, solenne fuisse in aulis principum statis quibusdam diebus, componere aliquē laicum insignibus Episcopalibus, qui et tonsura et caeteris ornamentis personatū Episcopū ageret; et creâsse etiā ridiculū Patriarchā, quo se oblectarent. Quae omnia ut in dedecus Ecclesiae accersita, prohibentur sub gravibus censuris.
Can: 16. We may collect, that it hath been a solemn custom in Princes Courts on some set day • , to attire some Lay man in Episcopal robes, who both in tonsure and other ornaments should act a Bishops part; and likewise to create a ridiculous Patriarke, with whom they might sport themselves. All which things as brought in to the disgrace of the Church, are prohibited under grievous censures.
[ 27] The 27. is Concilium Nanetense, about the year 890: where I find this Canon.
Nullus Presbyterorum quando ad anniversarium diem 30. aut 7. vel 3. alicujus defuncti • aut quacun{que} vocatione ad collectam convenerit se inebriare nullatenus presuma • ; nec praecatus amore sanctorum vel ipsius animae bibere, aut alios ad bibendum cogere, vel se aliena praecatione ingurgitare, nec plausus et risus inconditos et fabulas inanes ibi refer aut cantare praesumat; aut turpia joca vel urso, vel tornatricibus ante se fieri patiatur: nec larvas daemonum ante se fieri consentiat: quia hoc diabolicum est, et sacris Canonibus prohibitum.
No Minister when he shall come to the 30. or 7. or 3. anniversary day of any dead person, or be invited to a gathering, may by no means presume to make himself drunk; neither may he presume being entreated by the love of the Saints, or of his own soul, to drink, or to cause others to drink, or to glut himself upon any others request, nor yet to use applauses or rude laughter. or there to relate or sing any vain fables; neither may he suffer foolish Plays or pastimes to be made before him with bears or tumblers: neither may he agree, that any vizards or shapes of Devils be carried before him: because this is diabolical, and prohibited by sacred Canons.
The whole scope of which Canon, is only to inhibit Clergy men from drinking, pledging or enforcing Healthes, upon any occasion or entreaty whatsoever; and to debar them from beholding Plays and Interludes, especially such where any Devils had their parts or representations.
The 28. is Concilium Lateranense sub Innocentio 3. [ 28] Anno Christi 1215. consisting of 2 Patriarchs, 70 Arch-bishops, 412 Bishops, 800 Abbots and Priors ; where these ensuing Canons were promulgated, which I wish all Clergy men would remember.
Canon: 15, 16. A crapula et ebrietate omnes Clerici diligenter abstineant, unde vinum sibi temperent, et se vino; nec ad bibendum quispiam incitetur, cum ebrietas et mentis inducat exilium, et libidinis provocet incentivum. Vnde illum abusum decrevimus penitus abolendum, quo in quibusdam partibus ad potus aequales suo modo se obligant potatores, et ill judicio talium plus laudatur, qui plures inebriat et calices faecundiores exhaurit. Si quis autem super his culpabilem se exhibuerit, nisi à superiore commonitus satisfecerit competenter, à beneficio vel officio suspendatur. Venationem et aucupationem universis Clericis interdicimus, unde nec canes nec aves ad aucupandum habere praesumant. Clerici officia vel commercia secularia non exerceant, maxim in honesta. Mimis, joculatoribus, et histrionibus non intendant, et tabernas prorsus evitent, nisi forte causa necessitatis in itinere constituti. Ad aleas vel taxillos non ludant, nec hujusmodi ludis intersint. This Council and Canon was received in England.
Can: 15, 16. Let all Clergy men diligently abstain from surfeiting and drunkenness; to which end let them keep wine from themselves, and themselves from wine; neither let any one be provoked to drink, since drunkenness banisheth wit, and provokes lust: whence we decree that abuse to be utterly abolished. whereby drinkers in certain parts do bind one another to drink healths (or equal cups) after their manner, and he in the judgment of such is most applauded, who makes most drunk, and quaffes off most cups. And if any offend in these things, unless he shall give competent satisfaction being admonished by his superior, let him be suspended from his benefice or office. We prohibit hunting and hawking to all Clergy men, whence they may not presume to keep either dogs or hawks to hawk with. Clergy men may not manage secular offices or affairs, especially such as are dishonest. Let them not addict themselves to tumblers, jesters, & Stage-players, and let them wholly avoid tavernes, unless perchance in case of necessity, when they are in a journey. Let them not play at dice or tables, nor yet be present at such Plays.
[ 29] The 29. is, Concilium apud Castrum Gonterij Anno 1231. which decreeth in this manner.
Statuimus, quod Clerici ribaldi, maxim qui Goliardi vulgo dicuntur et nuncupantur, per Episcopos et alios Ecclesiae Praelatos praecipiantur tondi, vel etiam radi, ità quod non remaneat in eis clericalis tonsura: ità tamē, quod ista sine scandalo et periculo fiant. A just censure upon such disorderly Clergy men, who were not ashamed to turn Rimers, Iesters and common Actors or Tumblers, as many of the Popish Clergy did.
We decree, that scurrilous or riming Clergy men, especially those who are usually called Goliardi (that is jesters and Stage-players, as the marginal Authors expound it) may by Bishops and other Prelates of the Church, be commanded to be polled, and likewise shaven, so that their clericall tonsure may not remain upon them: provided notwithstanding, that these things be done without scandal or danger.
To pass by Synodus Pictaviensis, Anno 1377. which [ 30] condemns the dancing of young men and maids together, as the occasion of much luxury, wantonness, fornication, lewdness, and sundry other misdemeanors: The 30. Council against the acting and beholding of Stage-plays, is Synodus Lingonensis Anno 1404. Where I meet with this Canon.
Prohibemus clericis et viris ecclesiasticis, potissime in sacris ordinibus constitutis, et maxim sacerdotibus et curatis, ne omnino ludant ad taxillos, ad aleas, neque ad chartas, neque ad stophum, neque ad luctā, neque ad jactum lapidis, ad saltum, ad choreas, neque ad clip • um, neque cum fistula, vel alijs musicalibus instrumentis, quibus cum ore seu bucha luditur. Non ludant etiam ad bolas, ad cursum vel currendum in campo pro lucro, vel pro vino, ad jaculandum, vel gladiandum, neque ludant ad quillas, vel torneamenta, seujostas. Summopere caveant, ne intersint neque ludant in ludo quod dicitur chareuari, in quo utuntur larvis in figura daemonum, et horrenda ibidem committuntur: quem ludum non solū Clericis, sed generaliter omnibus subditis prohibemus sub excommunicationis paena, et decem librarum nobis applicandarum: neque etiā in ludis illis inhonestis quae solent fieri in aliquibus Ecclesijs in festo Fatuorum, quod faciunt in festivitatibus Natalis Domini. Non ludant etiā ad ludum scatorū, nisi forsan raro: quia quamvis sit ludus honestus, et proveniat ex subtilitate ingenij, tamen magnam et inutilē requirit occupationem, et prolixitatem temporis.
We prohibit Clergy men and Ecclesiastical persons, especially those in holy orders, and most of all Priests and Curates, that they play not at all at tables, at dice, nor at cards, neither at whirling, nor at wrestling, nor at throwing of the stone, at leaping, at dancing, neither at the buckler, neither with a pipe or other musical instruments, which are played upon with the mouth or cheeks. Likewise they may not play at bowles, at running in the field for money or wine, at darting, or sword-playing, neither may they play at quintins, at torneies, or justs. Let them diligently beware, that they be not present at, nor yet play in the play that is called Chare • ari, in which they use vizards in the shape of devils, and horrible things are there committed: which Play we prohibit not only Clergy men, but generally all our subjects under pain of excommunication, and of ten pounds to be paid unto our use: nor yet in those dishonest Plays which are wont to be made in some Churches in the Feast of Innocents, which they make in the Festivalls of our Savior's Nativity. Moreover they may not play at Chess, unless it be very rarely: for albeit it be an honest play, and proceeds from the subtlety of wit, yet it requires great and unprofitable study, and much prolixity of time.
Which Canon regulates the sports and pastimes of irregular Clergy men, prohibiting them from Stage-plays, among other Plays.
[ 31] The 31. is, Synodus Trecensis, sub Ioanne Lesguisier Episcopo, Anno 1427.
Curati et Ecclesiarum rectores prohibeant suis parochiauis ex parte nostri, ne in suis Ecclesijs, vel earum cimiterijs, ludos publicos, choreas vel alia hujusmodi de caetero exerceant &c.
Let Curates and rectours of Churches prohibit their Parishioners on our behalf, that they suffer no public Interludes, dances, or such like things, to be henceforth exercised or acted in their Churches or Church-yards.
The 32. is, Concilium Basiliense, Anno 1431. Sessio [ 32] 21. Cap. De Spectaculis in Ecclesia non faciendis: which decrees thus.
Turpem illum abusum in quibusdam frequentatum Ecclesijs, quo certis anni celebritatibus nonnulli cum mitra, baculo et vestibus pontificalibus, more Episcoporum benedicunt: alij ut reges, ac duces induti, quod festum fatuorum, vel innocentium seu puerorū in quibusdam regionibus nuncupatur: alij larvales vel theatrales jocos: alij choros et tripudia marum ac mulierum facientes, homines ad spectacula et cachinnationesmovent: haec sancta Synodus detestans, statuit ac jubet tàm ordinarijs, quàm Ecclesiarum decanis et rectoribus, sub poena suspensionis omnium proventuum Ecclesiasticorum trium mensium spatio, ne haec et similia ludibria in Ecclesia, quae domus orationis esse debet, ac etiam in ca • miterio exerceri amplius permittant, transgresso res{que} per censuram Ecclesiasticam, alia{que} juris remedia punire non negligant.
This sacred Synod detesting that foul abuse frequent in certain Churches, in which on certain festivals of the year, certain persons with a miter, staff, and pontifical robes, bless men after the manner of Bishops: others being clothed like Kings and Dukes, which is called the feast of fools, of innocents, or of children in certain Countries: others practicing vizarded and theatrical sports; others making trains and dances of men and women, move men to spectacles and cachinnations: hath appointed and commanded as well ordinaries, as deanes and rectors of Churches, under pain of suspension of all their Ecclesiastical revenues for three months space, that they suffer not these and such like Plays and pastimes to be anymore exercised in the Church, which ought to be the house of prayer, nor yet in the Church-yard, and that they neglect not to punish the offenders by Ecclesiastical censures, and other remedies of law.
And in the Appendix of the same Council I find this Constitution.
In via quilibet incedens pudicis oculis, cum modestia et gravitate, ad loca minus honesta non vadat, nec ad spectacula publica, choreas, ludos, hastiludia, torneamenta, et alia hujusmodi. Nemo ludat, aut familiares suos ad taxillos, vel alios ludos inhonestos ludere patiatur.
Everyone walking in the way with chaste eyes, with modesty and gravity may not go to dishonest places, nor yet to public spectacles, dances, Plays, tiltings, jests, and such like sports. Let none play, nor yet suffer his familiars to play at dice, or tables, or other dishonest games.
[ 33] The 33. is, Concilium Toletanum, sub Sixto quarto, Anno 1473. where I find these Constitutions.
Quia tempore quo sacrorum Canonum decretis nuptiarum celebratio interdicitur et carnalis copula prohibetur; nonnullos laicos nubere et carnaliter commisceri, ac proinde convivia publica, strepitus, ac choreas facere; (a thing much in use among the Russians, who at their weddings spend almost the whole night in dancing, which practice the Church of God hath always disallowed:) et cū histrionibus ac joculatoribus solenniter celebrare, et ad Ecclesias sic incedere plerun{que} contingit. Nos perniciosā hujusmodi cōsuetudinē divellere cupientes, sacro approbante Concilio, commixtiones hujusmodi, strepitus, choreas, joculationes &c. fieri de caetero prohibemus &c.
Ab Ecclesia &c. turpitudo quae{que} merito est abolenda. Quia vero quaedam tàm in Metropolitanis quā in Cathedralibus et alijs Ecclesijs nostrae provinciae consuetudo inolevit, ut videlicet in festis Nativitatis Domini nostri Jesus Christi, et sanctorum Stephani, Ioannis, Innocentium, alijs{que} certis diebus festivis, etiàm in solennitatibus Missarum novarum dum divina aguntur, ludi theatrales, larvae, monstra, spectacula, necnō quàmplurima inhonesta et diversa figmenta in Ecclesijs introducuntur, tumultuationes quo{que} et turpia carmina, et derisorij sermons dicuntur, adeo quod divinum officiū impediunt, et populum reddunt indevotū. Nos hanc corruptelam sacro approbante Concilio, revocantes, hujusmodi larvas, ludos, monstra, spectacula, figmenta, et tumultuationes fieri; carmina quoque turpia et sermons illicitos dici tam in Metropolitanis quā in Cathedralibus, caeteris{que} nostrae provinciae Ecclesijs, dum divina celebrantur, praesentiū serie omnino prohibemus: • tatuentes nihilominus ut Clerici qui praemissa ludibria, et inhonesta figmenta officijs divinis immiscuerint, aut immisceri permiserint, si in praefatis Metropolitanis seu Cathedralibus Ecclesijs beneficiati extiterint, eo ipso per men's • m por • ionibus suis mulctentur: si vero in parochialibus fuerint beneficiati, triginta; et si beneficiati non fuerint, quindecē regaliū poenam incurrant, fabricis Ecclesiarū et testi Synodali aequaliter applicandam. Per hoc tamen honestas repraesentationes et devotas quae populum ad devotionē movent, tàm in praefatis diebus, quā in alijs non intendimus prohibere.
Because in the time wherein by the Decrees of holy Canons, the solemnizing of marriages and carnal copulation are prohibited; it falls out for the most part that some lay men marry, and use carnal copulation, and thereupon make public feasts, tumults, and dances; (prohibited at marriages by sundry forerecited Councils:) and solemnly celebrate their nuptialls with Stage-players, and so for the most part walk unto the Churches. We desiring to abolish this pernicious custom, the holy Council approving it, prohibit such commixtures, tumults, dances, Plays &c. to be hereafter made &c. So that Stage-plays, Masques, Mummeries and dances, are altogether unlawful at Mariages, by this Councils verdict.
All filthiness is worthily to be abandoned from the Church. But because as well in Metropolitan as in Cathedral and other Churches of our Diocese there hath a custom grown, that even in the feasts of our Lord Jesus Christ's Nativity, and of St. Stephen, John, Innocents, and other certain holy days, yea in the solemnities of new Masses whiles divine things are doing, Stageplayes, mummeries, monsters, spectacles, as also very many dishonest and various fictions are brought into the Churches, as also tumults, and filthy songs, and scoffing speeches are uttered, so that they hinder divine service, and make the people undevout. We repealing this corruption by the approbation of this holy Council, do by the contents of these presents, utterly prohibit these disguised Plays, monsters, spectacles, fictions, and tumults to be made, and likewise all filthy verses and unlawful speeches to be uttered, as well in Metropolitan as in Cathedral and other Churches of our province, whiles divine things are celebrating: ordaining nevertheless that Clergy men who shall intermixe the foresaid Plays and dishonest figments with divine offices, or suffer them to be intermixed, if they shall be beneficed in the said Metropolitan or Collegiate Churches, shall for this cause and this offense forfeit their pentions for a month: but if they are beneficed in Parish Churches, they shall incur the penalty of thirty; and if they are not beneficed, of fifteen royalls, to be equally bestowed upon the fabrickes of Churches and the Chapter house. But yet by this we intend not to prohibit honest and devout representations which stir up the people to devotion either on the foresaid days or others.
Which last clause extends not to authorize any public or private Stage-plays, either on the stage or else where, but only to those representations of our Savior's passion, or the Legends and Martyrdoms of such Saints as the Priests did use to personate in their Churches on festival and solemn days: Which shows and representations were afterwards particularly prohibited, condemned by the Councils of Millaine, Mogunce, and others, before and after recorded, though the Papists still retain them, to their eternal in • amie.
The 34. is, Synodus Senonensis, Anno 1524. in which [ 34] these Canons were enacted.
Quoniam refrigescente nunc Christicolarum devotione, intelleximus ex nimia festorum multiplicatione populum ocio et vaniloquio illis diebus deditum, ebrietatibus, commessationibus ludis et lascivijs, mag • s quàm rei divinae, orationibus et contemplationibus vacare &c. Moneant itaque Ecclesiarum rectores suos parochianos, ut illis diebus easdem Ecclesias fr • quentent, orationibus insistant, Deum et Sanctos quo • um solennia aguntur, pia mente et devoto affectu venerentur et colant: verbum Domini, seu praedicationes vigilanter et attente audiant. Cessent his diebus, ludi, choreae, commessationes, ebrietates, vaniloquia, lasciviae, ab omni vitio abstineatur, &c. Which are no fit holyday exercises, and recreations, if this Council err not
Non solum omnem alearum, taxillorum et sortis ludum, aut interesse dictis, interdictum Clericis esse constitutionis Concilij generalis denunciamus, prout eisdem autoritate dicti Concilij interdicimus, sed et turpes plausus, cachinnos, risus inconditos, larvales et theatrales jocos, et tripudia, et his similia ludibria, nec non omnem alium ludum per quem Ecclesiae honestas inquinari potest praedictis Clericis prohibemus. Non immisceantur caetibus ubi amatoria cantantur et turpia; ubi ob • scaeni motus corporis choreis et saltibus efferuntur: ne Clerici qui sacris mysterijs deputati sunt, turpium spectaculorum atque verborum contagione polluantur.
Because the devotion of Christians now waxing cold, we have understood through the multiplication of holy-days, that the people given to idleness and vain discourse do in these days addict themselves more to drunkenness, surfeiting, Plays and wantonness, than to divine things, prayers, and cont • mplations, &c. Ther • fore let the rectors of Churches admonish their Parishioners, that on those days they frequent their Churches, and be instant in prayers: that they reverence and worship God, and the Saints, whose sol • mnities are observed, with a pious mind, and devout affection: that they vigilantly and attentively hear the word of the Lord, and preaching. Let Plays, dances, surfeiting, drunkenness, idle discourses, lasciviousness cease on these days, and let there be an abstinence from all vice &c.
We denounce not only all Plays of dice, tables, and lot, or to be present at them, to be inhibited Clergy men by the constitution of a general Council, as we forbid them by the authority of the said Council; but we likewise prohibit the aforesaid Clergy men all unseemly applauses, cachinnations, uncivil laughter, disguised and theatrical Plays, and dances, with all such ridiculous Interludes, and likewise all other Pastimes by which the honesty of the Church may be defiled. They may not mix themselves with such assemblies where amorous and filthy things are sung: where obscene motions of the body are expressed in dances and galliards: lest Clergy men who are devoted to holy mysteries, should be polluted with the contagion of filthy Spectacles and words.
Which reason extends as well to the Laity as the Clergy: since filthy Spectacles and words are as apt to pollute the one as the other. And dare any Clergy men then after such express inhibitions resort to Play-houses, or behold or practice any of these interdicted games and sports?
The 35. is Synodus Ratisponae Anno 1524. entitled, [ 35] Reformatio Cleri Germaniae: where we read thus.
Canon : 4. Insuper tabernas publicas Cleri evitent, nisi ease peregre proficiscentes ingredi oporteat, (which our English Canons have seconded:) et tàm in ibi, quàm domo et alibi à crapula et ebrietate, omni{que} ludo à jure prohibito, blasphemijs, rixis ac alijs quibuscun{que} excessibus et offensionibus penitus abstineant. Choreas, Spectacula et convivia publica evitent, ne ob luxum petulantiam{que} eorum nomen Ecclesiasticum male audiat.
Can: 4. Moreover Clergy men must avoid all public tavernes, ( which too many of them now frequent ) unless they are enforced to enter them when they travel: and as well there, as at home and elsewhere they ought wholly to abstain from surfeiting and drunkenness, and from every Play prohibited by law, from blasphemies, brawls, and all other excesses and offenses whatsoever. Let them shun dances, Stage-plays & public feasts, lest for their luxury and wantonness the Ecclesiastical name be ill reported of.
The 36. is, Synodus Carnotensis, Anno 1526. Where [ 36] these subs • quent Constitutions were compiled.
Ces • ent diebus festis, judicia, causarum cognitiones, venditiones, mercatus, commessationes, ebrietates, ludi, et nundinae. Contra facientes, citentur coram nobis aut Officiali nostro &c. In festo Sancti Nicholai, Catherinae, innocentium, aut alio quovis die prae • extu recreationis, ne Scholastici, Clerici, Sacerdotesve stultum aliquid aut ridiculum faciant in Ecclesia, aut ab alijs fieri permittant. Denique ab Ecclesia ejiciantur vestes fatuorum personas scenicas agentium.
Quia solent in plerisque locis nostrae Diaecesis deferri baculi ipsarum confratriarum, praecedentibus mimis et lusoribus cum tympanis, quod maxim dedecet honorem Dei et Sanctorum: non enim debent ante eorum imagines baculis confratriarum infixas praecedere instrumenta illa musica ad choream et tripudia potius quàm ad devotionem audientes excitantia. Idcirco prohibemus district, ne posthac tales baculi deferantur publice per vicos histrionico ritu, et modulatione musica choreis accommodata &c.
Quoniam in confratrijs primum recte constitutis, et postea in det • rius prolapsis, multa conspiciuntur committi, ab honestate et Christianae mentis religione penitus aliena; ut illis congruum adhibeamus remedium, imprimis ordinamus; Ne in ipsarum confrat • iarum congregationibus fiant dissoluta convivia, compotationes ad ebrietatem inducentes, choreae, tripudia, et caetera id genus, ad Bacchanalia magis quàm ad Christianam religionem spectantia. Quod nota.
Interdicimus, ne Clerici publice aut in privato exercea • t ludos turpes aut ludibriosos unde scandalū oriri, et ministeriū ecclesiasticum vituperari possit, pro loco et tempore, cau • a et personis quibus, propter quam, et cum quibus hujusmodi ludos exerceri contingeret. A ludo autem alearum, taxillorum, et similium quae in sort pendent sic abstineant, ut neque etiam alijs ludentibus fautores aut testes sint, intersint.
Districte prohibemus, ne sacerdotes choreis publicis, tr • pudiationibus, saltationibu • ve sese commisceant; ne turpes, amatorias • aut lascivas decantent cantilenas, aut cantantibus faveant aut intersint. Corrumpunt siquidem bonos mores colloquia prava. Denique non sint vagi oculis, non dicaces, non joculatores, non histriones; ea enim omnia indecora, ijs praecipue quibus animarum cura cōmissa est.
Sacerdotes qui in diebus primarum Missarum novorum Presbyterorum, post festivas epulas et grandia convivia commessationes{que} exeunt in publicum ad exhibendas populo et plebeculae comaedias, maxim crassas et impudicas, et choreas in plateis, committunt sine dubio in legem Ecclesiae et Apostolorum dogma. Quare qui tales fuerunt, si perseveraverint, sciant se condignam punitionem et correctionem non evasuros. Item prohibemus sacerdotibus ne in festo Sancti Nicholai, Innocentium, aut alio quovis die stultum aliquod aut ridiculum in Ecclesijs aut alio quocunque loco publico faciant fierive permittant, larvati aut quocun{que} tempore, aut quovis in loco incedant.
On holy days let matters of judicature, hearing of causes, sales, merchandice, lux • ry, drunkenness, Plays, and fairs cease. Those who do contrary, let them be cited before us or our official &c. In the feast of St Nicholas, Katherine, Innocents, or any other day, let not Scholars, Clergy me • , or Priests, under pretence of recreation, act any foolish or ridiculous thing in the Church, or permit others to do it. Finally let the clothes of those who act the scenicall persons of Innocents or fools, be cast out of the Church.